Wing-polymorphism
Guides
Zorotypidae
Angel Insects
Zorotypidae is the sole extant family of the insect order Zoraptera, commonly called angel insects. The family contains one extant genus, Zorotypus, with approximately 39 described living species and 9 extinct species known from amber deposits. These minute, soft-bodied insects exhibit a striking polymorphism: winged individuals possess dark coloration, compound eyes, ocelli, and sheddable wings similar to termites, while wingless individuals are pale, lack eyes and ocelli, and are generally more common. The family has a sparse but widespread distribution across tropical and subtropical regions.
Zorotypus
angel insects
Zorotypus is the sole extant genus of the order Zoraptera, commonly called angel insects. The genus contains approximately 39 extant species distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with four species occurring north of the Tropic of Cancer. Species exhibit two distinct morphs: winged individuals with compound eyes, ocelli, and dark pigmentation that can shed their wings; and wingless, pale individuals lacking eyes and ocelli. The genus has an extensive fossil record, with numerous species described from Cretaceous and Miocene amber deposits.