Hemiptera
Hemiptera is an order of insects, comprising some 67,500 known species in two suborders, Heteroptera and Homoptera. Originally the Homoptera were treated as a separate order. Members of the Hemiptera, and of the Heteroptera in particular, are sometimes called "true bugs". The name 'heteroptera' comes from their forewings having both membranous and hard portions.
It is also this which gives the order its name, hemiptera, coming from the Greek for half-wing.
Species of order Hemiptera occcur worldwide; they are distinguished from all other insects by both adults and nymphs having piercing and sucking mouthparts housed in a long "beak".
These are used mostly to feed on plant juices, but some species are adapted to suck blood from animals or other insects.
Suborder Heteroptera
25,000 known species in over 60 families:
Suborder Homoptera
42,500 known species
See also: http://www.kendall-bioresearch.co.uk/hemip1.htm
Series Auchenorryncha
Cicadas and hoppers; 33,000 species in over 30 families.
Two-lined spittlebug Prosapia bicencta
- cicada (Cicadidae)
- spittlebug, froghopper (Cercopidae)
- treehopper (Membracidae)
- leafhopper (Cicadellidae)
- jumping plant lice (Psyllidae)
Series Sternorryncha
12,500 species.
- aphid (Aphididae)
- wooly and gall-making aphids (Eriosomatidae- also Pemphigidae)
- pine and spruce aphids (Adelgidae- also Chermidae)
- phylloxerans (Phylloxeridae)
- greenfly
- giant coccids and ground pearls (Margarodidae)
- armored scale (Diaspididae)
- cochineal (Dactylopiidae)
- lac scales (Kerriidae- also Lacciferidae)
- soft scales (Coccidae)
- pit scales (Asterolecaniidae)
- mealy bug (Pseudococcidae)
- felted scales (Eriococcidae)
- whitefly (Alerodidae)
External Links
Referenced By
Insect | Kissing Bug | Lesser water boatman | Neoptera | Pentatomidae | Pterygota | Shield bug | Stink bug | Triatoma protracta
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