Key To Soil Arthropods

Key to soil arthropods 1) Three pairs of jointed legs, body divided into head, thorax and abdomen; antennae usually present, wings may be present………………………………… …………….2 Four pairs of jointed legs, legs, head and thorax fused to form cephalothorax, without antennae……………………………………4 2) Wings present (Sub-class Pterygota)………………….3 Wings absent (Sub-class Apterygota)…………………..order Collembola (Springtails)

3) One pair of wings, the second pair represented by halteres………….Order Diptera (two-winged flies)

Two pairs of wings, membranous and clear, abdomen usually attached to thorax by a distinct waist………………………………………Order Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps)

4) Body distinctly divided into two parts- a cephalothorax and an abdomen; spinning glands present…………………………………..Order Araneida (Spiders)

Cephalothorax and abdomen completely jointed; no spinning glands……………5

5) Legs usually very long and slender; abdomen segmented…………..Order Opiliones(Harvestmen)

Small or microscopic; legs short; abdomen Unsegmented…………….Order Acari (mites)