Closely related to Homoptera. (Heteroptera and Homoptera are
suborders of order Hemiptera)
Front wing structure: basal portion thickened, apical portion is
membranous
Hind wings: membranous, shorter than front wings
At rest, wings are held flat over abdomen, with membranous part of
front wings overlapping.
Mouthparts are piercing-sucking. Beak is arising from the front part
of the head. Often extends back along the ventral side of the body
(between legs).
Many plant feeding species. Some species are predaceous. Some blood
sucking species (can be vectors of diseases).
Compound eyes usually well developed.
Ocelli (two) are eiter present or absent.
Antennae usually long.
Many species produce strong smells from glands in the abdomen.
Metamorphosis is simple. Usually 5 nymphal instars. Nymphs look very
similar to adults (except for the wings).
Families
The suborder Heteroptera is divided in a number of families. Some
families containing a important agricultural pests are:
Miridae = Plant bugs or Leaf bugs (= Capsidae: Capsids)
