Distribution and Diversity
Though the true dimensions of species diversity remain uncertain, estimates range from 1.4 to 1.8 million species. This probably represents less than 20% of all species on Earth, and with only about 20,000 new species of all organisms being described each year, most species likely will remain undescribed for many years unless species descriptions increase in rate. About 850,000–1,000,000 of all described species are insects. Of the 30 or so orders of insects, four dominate in terms of numbers of described species, with an estimated 600,000–795,000 species included in Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera. Almost as many species of beetles have been named as all other insects added together, or all other noninsects (plants and animals).
| Described species | Average description rate (species per year) | Publication effort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coleoptera | 300,000–400,000 | 2308 | 0.01 |
| Lepidoptera | 110,000–120,000 | 642 | 0.03 |
| Diptera | 90,000–150,000 | 1048 | 0.04 |
| Hymenoptera | 100,000–125,000 | 1196 | 0.02 |
Read more about this topic: Insect
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