The Heteroptera are a group of about 40,000 species of insects in the order Hemiptera. They are sometimes called "true bugs", though that name more commonly refers to the Hemiptera as a whole. "Typical bugs" might be used as a more unequivocal alternative, since the heteropterans are most consistently and universally termed "bugs" among the Hemiptera. "Heteroptera" is Greek for "different wings": most species have forewings with both membranous and hardened portions ; members of the primitive sub-group Enicocephalomorpha have completely membranous wings.
Pentatomidae is a family of insects belonging to the order Hemiptera, generally called shield bugs or stink bugs. Pentatomidae is the largest family in the superfamily Pentatomoidea, and contains around 900 genera and over 4700 species. As hemipterans, the pentatomids have piercing sucking mouthparts, and most are phytophagous, including several species which are severe pests on agricultural crops. However, some species, particularly in the subfamily Asopinae, are predatory and may be considered beneficial.
Pyrrhocoridae is a family of insects with more than 300 species world-wide. Many are red coloured and are known as red bugs and some species are called cotton stainers because their feeding activities leave an indelible yellow-brownish stain on cotton crops. A common species in parts of Europe is the firebug, and its genus name Pyrrhocoris and the family name are derived from the Greek roots for fire "pyrrho-" and bug "coris". Members of this family are often confused with, but can be quickly separated from, Lygaeidae by the lack of ocelli on the top of the head.
Nepidae is a family of exclusively aquatic Heteropteran insects in the order Hemiptera. They are commonly called water scorpions for their superficial resemblance to scorpions, due to their raptorial forelegs and the presence of a long slender process at the posterior end of the abdomen, resembling a tail. There are 14 genera in the family, in two subfamilies, Nepinae and Ranatrinae. Members of the genus Ranatra, the most widespread and species-rich genus, are sometimes called needle bugs or water stick insects as they are slenderer than Nepa.
The Peloridiidae or moss bugs are a family of true bugs, comprising eighteen genera and thirty-four species. They are small, ranging in length from 2 to 4 mm, rarely seen, peculiarly lumpy, flattened bugs found in Patagonia, New Zealand, eastern Australia, Lord Howe Island, and New Caledonia. Peloridiids are found amongst mosses and liverworts, commonly in association with southern beech forests. They have become known as moss bugs for their habit of feeding on mosses. Almost all Peloridiidae species are flightless, except one. Their present distribution suggests they have existed since before the breakup of Gondwana. They are the only living members of the suborder Coleorrhyncha, which first appeared in the Upper Permian, over 250 million years ago.
William Lucas Distant was an English entomologist.
Edward Saunders, FRS was an English entomologist, who specialised in Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Hymenoptera.
The Tingidae are a family of very small insects in the order Hemiptera that are commonly referred to as lace bugs. This group is distributed worldwide with about 2,000 described species.
The Blissidae are a family in the Hemiptera, comprising nearly 50 genera and 400 species. The group has often been treated as a subfamily of the Lygaeidae but was resurrected as a full family by Thomas Henry (1997).
Thyreocoris scarabaeoides is a species of shield bug found in Europe. It is small (3–4 mm.), nearly round and dark bronzy coloured. The surface is shining, glabrous and strongly punctured. The antennae are piceous, the scutellum not quite covering the corium and membrane. The legs are black with spinose tibiae and piceous tarsi.
Tingini is a tribe of lace bugs in the family Tingidae. There are at least 250 genera and 2,400 described species in Tingini.
Chlorochroa is a genus of shield (stink) bugs in the family Pentatomidae, found in Europe and North America. There are over 20 described species in Chlorochroa.
Isometopinae is a subfamily of jumping tree bugs in the family Miridae and are the only members of the Miridae to possess ocelli. The subfamily is split into five tribes. There are 42 genera and approximately 239 described species in Isometopinae.
Kalama is a genus of lace bugs in the family Tingidae. There are at least 30 described species in Kalama.
Ceratocapsini is a tribe of plant bugs in the family Miridae. There are about 7 genera and at least 80 described species in Ceratocapsini.
Carpocorini is a tribe of stink bugs in the family Pentatomidae. There are about 15 genera and at least 50 described species in Carpocorini.
Agnocoris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae. There are about seven described species in Agnocoris.
Restheniini is a tribe of plant bugs in the family Miridae. There are at least 4 genera and 30 described species in Restheniini.
Hermatobates is a genus of wingless marine bugs placed as the sole genus in the family Hermatobatidae that are sometimes known as coral-treaders. They are quite rare and known only from coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. During low tide, they move over the water surface not unlike the more familiar water-striders around coral atolls and reefs and stay submerged in reef crevices during high tide.
Nymph
Plate 2 from Saunders (1892)
