The Hemiptera are insects with mouthparts modified into sucking tubes. Depending on families, the hemipterans feed on the plant xylem, phloem, seeds, pollen or general plant cells. Other families feed on invertebrates and some are parasites of vertebrate tissues or blood. Some of the aphids, scales and hoppers that feed on plant phloem exude a sugar rich-honeydew that attracts other insects, including protective ants. Most hemipterans lay eggs which then hatch into nymphs. Usually there are 5 developmental stages (instars) where the nymphs shed their skin and change their form. Often the first instar nymphs cluster together after hatching. Some Hemipterans can become pests of crops, but other predacious species are valuable bio-control agents.
Direct family links A-Z
Acanthosomatidae Achilidae Aleyrodidae Alydidae Anthocoridae Aphididae Aradidae Berytidae Blissidae Callipappidae Ceratocombidae Cercopidae Cicadellidae Cicadidae Cixiidae Clastopteridae Coccidae Coreidae Corixidae Cryptorhamphidae Cydnidae Delphacidae Derbidae Diaspididae Dictyopharidae Enicocephalidae Eriococcidae Flatidae Gelastocoridae Geocoridae Gerridae Hebridae Idiostolidae Largidae Liviidae Lygaeidae Membracidae Miridae Monophlebidae Nabidae Naucoridae Nepidae Notonectidae Ochteridae Pentatomidae Piesmatidae Pseudococcidae Psyllidae Pyrrhocoridae Reduviidae Ricaniidae Rhyparochromidae Saldidae Scutelleridae Tettigarctidae Thaumastocoridae Tingidae Triozidae Veliidae
Quick Visual Finder – visit sections for snapshots of all respective documented families.
Suborder Sternorrhyncha Aphids, scale insects and jumping plant lice
Suborder Auchenorrhyncha Cicadas, hoppers and spittlebugs
Suborder Heteroptera The true bugs
Suborder Coleorrhyncha Moss bugs
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References;
Carver, M., Gross,G.F., Woodward T.E.(1991) Chapter 30 Hemiptera in Insects of Australia, Volume 1: A Textbook for Students and Research Workers. 2nd Edition. Melbourne University Publishing pp 429-442