Hemiptera
Sign in to saveHemiptera (; ) is an order of insects, commonly called true bugs, comprising more than 80,000 species within groups such as the cicadas, aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, assassin bugs, bed bugs, and shield bugs. They range in size from to around , and share a common arrangement of piercing-sucking mouthparts. The name "true bugs" is sometimes limited to the suborder Heteroptera.
AI overview
Hemiptera is a large order of insects commonly called true bugs, containing over 80,000 species including cicadas, aphids, bed bugs, and assassin bugs, all of which share a distinctive piercing-sucking mouth structure. These insects matter because they are incredibly diverse and widespread, with some species affecting human health and agriculture while others play important roles in ecosystems.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
34 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Diversity
- Taxonomy and phylogeny
- Biology
- Mouthparts
- Wing structure
- Sound production
- Life cycle
- Parthenogenesis and viviparity
- Locomotion
- Swimming and skating
- Marangoni propulsion
- Flight
- Jumping
- Sedentary
- Ecological roles
- Feeding modes
- Herbivores
- Predators
- Haematophagic ectoparasites
- As symbionts
- As defended prey
- Interaction with humans
- As pests
- For pest control
- Insect products
- As human parasites and disease vectors
- As food
- In art and literature
- In mythology and folklore
- Threats
- Notes
- References
- External links
Hemiptera (; ) is an order of insects, commonly called true bugs, comprising more than 80,000 species within groups such as the cicadas, aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, assassin bugs, bed bugs, and shield bugs. They range in size from to around , and share a common arrangement of piercing-sucking mouthparts. The name "true bugs" is sometimes limited to the suborder Heteroptera.
Most hemipterans feed on plants, using their sucking and piercing mouthparts to extract plant sap. Some are bloodsucking, or hematophagous, while others are predators that feed on other insects or small invertebrates. They live in a wide variety of habitats, generally terrestrial, though some are adapted to life in or on the surface of fresh water (e.g. pondskaters, water boatmen, giant water bugs). Hemipterans are hemimetabolous, with young nymphs that somewhat resemble adults. Many aphids are capable of parthenogenesis, producing young from unfertilised eggs; this helps them to reproduce extremely rapidly in favourable conditions.