HETEROPTERA

G.G.E. Scudder

INTRODUCTION

The Heteroptera or true bugs are a moderately large clade of the Order Hemiptera. They are exopterygotes with an incomplete metamorphosis, and characteristically have piercing and sucking mouthparts and adult ventral metathoracic scent glands. Adults typically have forewings in the form of hemelytra with a basally sclerotized clavus and corium, and an apical flexible membrane. There are usually five nymphal instars, and these normally have one or more dorsal abdominal scent-gland openings.

Most Infraorders are predaceous, but the Pentatomorpha and Cimicomorpha are predominately phytophagous, feeding on parenchyma, seeds and pollen.