<P> The most recent understanding of the evolution of insects is based on studies of the following branches of science : molecular biology , insect morphology , paleontology , insect taxonomy , evolution , embryology , bioinformatics and scientific computing . It is estimated that the class of insects originated on Earth about 480 million years ago , in the Ordovician , at about the same time terrestrial plants appeared . Insects evolved from a group of crustaceans . The first insects were land bound , but about 400 million years ago in the Devonian period one lineage of insects evolved flight , the first animals to do so . The oldest definitive insect fossil , Rhyniognatha hirsti , is estimated to be 407 to 396 million years old . Global climate conditions changed several times during the history of Earth , and along with it the diversity of insects . The Pterygotes ( winged insects ) underwent a major radiation in the Carboniferous ( 356 to 299 million years ago ) while the Endopterygota ( insects that go through different life stages with metamorphosis ) underwent another major radiation in the Permian ( 299 to 252 million years ago ) . </P>
<P> The most recent understanding of the evolution of insects is based on studies of the following branches of science : molecular biology , insect morphology , paleontology , insect taxonomy , evolution , embryology , bioinformatics and scientific computing . It is estimated that the class of insects originated on Earth about 480 million years ago , in the Ordovician , at about the same time terrestrial plants appeared . Insects evolved from a group of crustaceans . The first insects were land bound , but about 400 million years ago in the Devonian period one lineage of insects evolved flight , the first animals to do so . The oldest definitive insect fossil , Rhyniognatha hirsti , is estimated to be 407 to 396 million years old . Global climate conditions changed several times during the history of Earth , and along with it the diversity of insects . The Pterygotes ( winged insects ) underwent a major radiation in the Carboniferous ( 356 to 299 million years ago ) while the Endopterygota ( insects that go through different life stages with metamorphosis ) underwent another major radiation in the Permian ( 299 to 252 million years ago ) . </P>
when did the first insects appear on earth
when did the first insects appear on earth
about 480 million years ago
about 480 million years ago