Heteroptera

Definition

A suborder of the order Hemiptera, comprising the 'typical' or 'true' bugs, diagnosed by forewings (hemelytra) that are divided into a thickened, leathery basal portion and a membranous apical portion; includes approximately 40,000 species across seven infraorders.

Etymology

Greek heteros ('different') + pteron ('wing'), referring to the dissimilar texture of the forewing regions.

Example

The squash bug Coreus marginatus displays classic heteropteran hemelytra: the basal corium and clavus are coriaceous, while the distal membrane is thin and transparent, folded beneath at rest.

Synonyms

• typical bugs
• true bugs (narrow sense)

Related Terms

• Hemiptera
• hemelytron
• Corium
• Membrane
• Cimicomorpha
• Pentatomomorpha
• Nepomorpha
• Auchenorrhyncha
• Sternorrhyncha

Usage Notes

The name 'true bugs' is often applied to Hemiptera as a whole, but specialists frequently restrict it to Heteroptera; the group is distinguished from the other hemipteran suborders (Sternorrhyncha, Auchenorrhyncha, Coleorrhyncha) by the hemelytron structure and by the insertion of mouthpart stylets ventrally rather than posteriorly on the head. The primitive infraorder Enicocephalomorpha is exceptional in having fully membranous wings. Heteroptera as a genus name in other kingdoms (plants, mollusks, fish) is an unrelated homonym.