Heteroptera

Definition

A suborder of insects within the order Hemiptera, containing the true bugs.

Etymology

From Greek 'heteros', meaning 'different', and 'ptera', meaning 'wings'.

Example

The Heteroptera suborder includes a diverse range of true bugs, from small, delicate species to large, predatory ones.

Related Terms

• Hemiptera
• True Bugs

Usage Notes

Heteroptera is a very large and diverse group of insects. It is typically considered a suborder of Hemiptera, but was previously treated as an independent order.