Evolution of Insect Wings
Winged insects or the pterygota are a successful subclass of insects as flying increases their dispersal, migration and ability to forage for resources (Gullan & Cranston 2010). The transition to wings occurred approximately 350 million year ago (Klowden 2007). Insect wings where an outgrowth of the body that evolved separately from the legs (Klowden 2007). Bumblebees evolved from a wasp ancestor 100 million years ago (Heinrich 1979).
The two explanations on the evolution of flight are the Paranota and the Gill Hypothesis.
The two explanations on the evolution of flight are the Paranota and the Gill Hypothesis.
Insects A depicts the common wingless ancestor.Incest B represents the paranotal hypotheis with the formation of the wing from the thoracic terga. Incest C represents the Gill hypothesis where the wings evolved from the Pleurum or gill like strucutre. Image provided by Siga (2007).