Whereas taxonomy is primarily associated with the naming and classification of species, systematics deals with the evolutionary hierarchy and relationships of the taxons. Apart from lice, fleas, and our non-native stick-insects, the following flow-chart includes all of the insect orders that occur in Britain and, with only a couple of exceptions, they are all featured on this website to some degree. Whilst the 'home' page has been laid-out in a convenient way, starting with the 'big five' insect orders before moving on to the smaller groups, there is actually little deviation from the evolutionary tree shown here.

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Although the higher level taxons can be pretty much disregarded for most purposes, it's nice to have a basic understanding so, without going into too much detail, the class INSECTA is subdivided into two parts; APTERYGOTA (the primitive wingless species) and PTERYGOTA (winged or secondary winged species). The main subclass includes two divisions NEOPTERA, further subdivided as shown, and the much smaller PALAEOPTERA, which only includes two orders EPHEMEROPTERA (Mayflies) and ODONATA (Dragonflies & Damselflies). Some of the smaller orders are grouped together for studying and research purposes, either in an unranked taxon as in NEUROPTERIDA (Lacewings and Allies) or in an informal group, such as 'Grasshoppers and Allied Insects' or 'Riverflies', which incorporates four orders that aren't necessarily closely related

but together form an important part of our freshwater ecosystem. 

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The wingless six-legged arthropods of the class ENTOGNATHA (see the COLLEMBOLA - springtails page for explanation) are now separated, but should still be included. Similarly, with the other arthropod groups ARACHNIDA, MYRIAPODA and ISOPODA, although it's important to note they're shown here for completeness and not for where they sit in the evolutionary tree, which would become very much more involved if they were properly incorporated.  

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