Final answer:
The insect order with the highest species diversity is the class Insecta, part of the subphylum Hexapoda. This class comprises over a million described species and is the largest group of both arthropods and animals in terms of diversity. Estimates suggest there could be up to 30 million insect species, many still to be discovered.
Step-by-step explanation:
The insect order with the highest species diversity is the class Insecta, which is part of the subphylum Hexapoda. Insects are immensely diverse and are found in virtually all environments on Earth. The sheer number of insect species is staggering, with estimates reaching up to 30 million, many of which remain unnamed or even undiscovered. Insects are an integral part of the phylum Arthropoda, which includes various forms like spiders, lobsters, and centipedes. This phylum is not only the largest in the invertebrate category but also the most diverse across the entire animal kingdom.
There are over a million described species of insects, representing more than half of all known organisms. These include both wingless varieties, such as bristle tails and silverfish, and a plethora of winged insects comprising the vast majority of insect diversity.
Arthropods, where insects belong, are an immensely successful group due to their diversity and adaptability, with roughly 80 percent of all animal species being arthropods. This success is partially attributed to variations not only in size but also in habitat preferences and ecological roles, which allow them to thrive in different environments worldwide.