Noting how your mystery insect moves is helpful, especially if you did not capture it for identification. If you observed the insect flying, you know it is a winged insect and can eliminate at least four insect orders (the wingless insects) from your guesses. Some insects, like grasshoppers, prefer to propel themselves with their legs, but are capable of flying when needed. Mantids walk unless threatened, and then they will fly as well. Springtails are named for their ability to spring or launch themselves into the air. Even if these traits don’t give you definitive answers to an insect’s identity, making notes on their movement patterns will teach you something about how that insect lives.
Photo credit: Flickr user Catherine Trigg
