More than 500 species of butterflies and moths are found in Tennessee, including the giant swallowtail, the American copper, the bicolored moth, the pink-spotted hawkmoth and the monarch. The Diana fritillary and the frosted elfin butterfly are threatened in the state. Flying species of Orthoptera found in Tennessee include several grasshoppers and crickets, such as the spur-throated, meadow and green-striped grasshoppers.
The firefly Photinus pyralls is one example of Coleoptera living in Tennessee. Beetles found in the state include the invasive Japanese beetle, the rare American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) and the obligate cave beetle (Nelsonites walteri), as well as several species of lady beetles. Members of the order Coleoptera have two pairs of wings, an exterior shield-like pair used for protection and a soft and delicate pair, which they use for flying. Dragonflies also have four wings, but all are used for flying. Tennessee dragonfly species include the endangered Tennessee snaketail (Ophiogomphus acuminatus).
Common flying Hymenoptera found in Tennessee include honeybees, yellow jackets, hornets and bumblebees. These insects are important pollinators and some species can help to control agricultural plagues, such as caterpillars, by laying their eggs on them. Only three species of mantis are found in Tennessee: the North American native Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina), the introduced European or praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) and the Chinese mantis (Tenodera aridifolia sinensis).
The order Diptera includes insects with a single pair of membranous wings, such as flies and mosquitoes. In Tennessee, there are more than 100 species of horseflies, which are members of the family Tabanidae. Other species of Diptera living in the state include drosophila flies, which are agricultural plagues and mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, which can carry the microorganism that causes yellow fever. Barklice or barkflies are often small and have four wings, living under leaves and tree bark. Members of the genera Lepinotus and Trogium are found in Tennessee.