Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Includes
Heteroptera (formerly treated as a separate order),
Auchenorrhyncha and
Sternorrhyncha (the latter two formerly considered parts of Homoptera)
Explanation of Names
Hemiptera Linnaeus 1758
'half-winged'; refers mainly to what is now Heteroptera, whose forewings are part leathery, part membranous
Numbers
~10,200 spp. in almost 1600 genera in our area (>4,000 spp. in Canada); worldwide, ~110,000 spp. described, ~200,000 estimated
(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)Identification
See
(6) for discussion of features separating major lineages and a list of latest identification aids.
Auchenorrhyncha & Sternorrhyncha
(1):
Many groups covered in spines, setae (hair-like structures), or waxy coverings
Antennae with 3‒13 segments
Wings at rest held rooflike over the body
Beak arises from posterior portion of underside of head
Often dorsoventrally flattened
Typically two pairs of wings in adult: forewings (hemelytra) are part thick/protective, part membranous
Wings at rest held flat over the body, with membranous parts overlapping
Scutellum prominent
"Beak" arising from front of head
Antennae with 4‒5 segments
Many have thoracic scent glands
Habitat
various, both terrestrial and freshwater
Food
All non-heteropteran members and most Heteroptera feed on plant juices; among Heteroptera, there are many exclusively predatory families (esp. aquatic and semi-aquatic) and major predatory groups in other families. Some suck vertebrate blood.
Internet References
Photo identification guide
(7) (covers British Isles but may be useful)
