Paleoptera

insect infraclass

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

Paleoptera is a major division of winged insects, the Pterygota, characterized by their inability to fold their wings over their abdomen. This ancient group includes insects like mayflies (order Ephemeroptera) and dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata). These insects have a long fossil record, with ancestors dating back over 300 million years. Unlike more modern winged insects (Neoptera), Paleoptera hold their wings aloft or extended to the sides when at rest.12345

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insect
Annotated classification
Infraclass Paleoptera Mostly extinct; wings held aloft over back or extended permanently on each side of the body, unable to fold back onto abdomen at rest. Order Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Soft-bodied with short setaceous (bristle-like) antennae and vestigial mouthparts; wings held vertically at rest, hind pair
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Infraclass Paleoptera Mostly extinct; wings held aloft over back or extended permanently on each side of the body, unable to fold back onto abdomen at rest. Order Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Soft-bodied with short setaceous (bristle-like) antennae and vestigial mouthparts; wings held vertically at rest, hind pair
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insect
Wings and flight
In the Paleoptera the wings are held aloft above the back, as in mayflies, or held extended permanently on each side of the body, as in dragonflies. Throughout the Neoptera there is a wing-flexing mechanism (secondarily lost in butterflies) that enables the wings to be folded back…
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In the Paleoptera the wings are held aloft above the back, as in mayflies, or held extended permanently on each side of the body, as in dragonflies. Throughout the Neoptera there is a wing-flexing mechanism (secondarily lost in butterflies) that enables the wings to be folded back…
Read More