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Metamorphoses: simple North American Families: 42 North American Species: 3587 |
Hemiptera
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Description: True bugs have sucking mouthparts that form a beak projecting from the front of the head. The structure of the front wings is also a distinctive feature, the basal portion of the front wing is thickened and leathery and the apical portion is membranous. This type of wing is called a hemelytron. The hind wings are membranous and slightly shorter than the front wings. Some species are wingless. The antennae are long and straight. |
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| Comments: Many species have scent glands that open on the side of the thorax. These glands give off a characteristic odour, especially when the insects are disturbed. The scent-gland secretions provide a defense against predators by discouraging or harming them. This group is widely distributed in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. | |||
Families in this Order |
 Belostomatidae: Giant water bugs Size: 12 to 65 mm |
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Berytidae: Stilt bugs Size: 5 to 9 mm |
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Cimicidae: Bed bugs Size: 3 to 6 mm |
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Coreidae: Leaf-footed bugs Size: 10 to 40 mm |
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Corixidae: Water boatmen Size: 3 to 13 mm |
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Gerridae: Water striders Size: 10 to 25 mm |
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Lygaeidae: Seed bugs Size: 2 to 18 mm |
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Miridae: Plant bugs or leaf bugs Size: 4 to 10 mm |
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Nabidae: Damsel bugs Size: 4 to 11 mm |
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Nepidae: Water scorpions Size: 20 to 43 mm |
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Notonectidae: Backswimmers Size: 5 to 17 mm |
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Pentatomidae: Stink bugs Size: 6 to 20 mm |
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Phymatidae: Ambush bugs Size: 8 to 13 mm |
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Reduviidae: Assassin bugs and thread-legged bugs Size: 12 to 36 mm |
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Saldidae: Shore bugs Size: |
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Tingidae: Lace bugs Size: 3 to 5 mm |
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Veliidae: Broad-shoulder water striders or riffle bugs Size: 2 to 6 mm |
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