The Pentatomoidea are a superfamily of insects in the Heteroptera suborder of the Hemiptera order. As Hemiptera, they share a common arrangement of sucking mouthparts. The roughly 7000 species under Pentatomoidea are divided into 21 families. Among these are the stink bugs and shield bugs, jewel bugs, giant shield bugs, and burrower bugs.
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.
Coreidae is a large family of predominantly sap-sucking insects in the Hemipteran suborder Heteroptera. The name "Coreidae" derives from the genus Coreus, which derives from the Ancient Greek κόρις (kóris) meaning bedbug.
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.
Cydnidae are a family of pentatomoid bugs, known by common names including burrowing bugs or burrower bugs. As the common name would suggest, many members of the group live a subterranean lifestyle, burrowing into soil using their head and forelegs, only emerging to mate and then laying their eggs in soil. Other members of the group are not burrowers, and live above the soil layer, often in close association with plants. Several species are known as agricultural pests.
Alydidae, commonly known as broad-headed bugs, is a family of true bugs very similar to the closely related Coreidae. There are at least 60 genera and 300 species altogether. Distributed in the temperate and warmer regions of the Earth, most are tropical and subtropical animals; for example Europe has a mere 10 species, and only 2 of these occur outside the Mediterranean region.
Carpocoris mediterraneus, the red shield bug, is a species of shield bug in the family Pentatomidae.
Coreinae is a subfamily in the hemipteran family Coreidae. They have been shown to be paraphyletic with respect to Meropachyinae.
The Harpactorinae are a large subfamily of the Reduviidae. About 300 genera and 2,000 species worldwide have been described. Some of the species of the genera Zelus, Pselliopus, Sinea, and Apiomerus are of interest as biological pest control agents.
Anisoscelini is a tribe of leaf-footed bugs in the family Coreidae. It was formerly spelled Anisoscelidini, but the tribal name spelling was incorrectly formed.
Flatidae are a family of fulgoroid planthoppers. They are cosmopolitan in distribution and are distinguished from others in the superfamily by a combination of characters. Like all other planthoppers, they suck phloem sap of plants. Some species are known to communicate with vibrations through the plant stems. Communication may be with mates, or with ants that tend the nymphs, protecting them and gathering honeydew secretions. Adults of some species have brightly coloured forewings which are tougher and known as tegmina unlike the membranous hindwings which are used for flight. Although a few can be identified by their coloration, most species requires dissection and examination under a microscope with access to literature on already described species.
Apodiphus amygdali is a species of shield bug belonging to the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Pentatominae.
Carpocoris purpureipennis is a species of shield bug of the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Pentatominae.
Tessaratomidae is a family of true bugs. It contains about 240 species of large bugs divided into 3 subfamilies and 56 genera.
Cydninae is a subfamily of burrowing bugs in the family Cydnidae. There are about 11 genera and at least 40 described species in Cydninae.
Cyclopelta is a genus of Dinidorid bug found in Africa and Asia. There are 14 species in the genus with 8 found in Asia and 6 in Africa. Some species are known to form large aggregation on trees and can cause damage in a few trees of economic importance.
Cyclopelta siccifolia is a bug in the family Dinidoridae found in South Asia. It is known for its large aggregations on certain species of plants. They have been known to aggregate and damage Erythrina, Sesbania, Pongamia, and Cajanus cajan.
Megarididae is a family of true bugs in the superfamily Pentatomoidea. The family consists of a single extant genus Megaris with about 16 species restricted to the Neotropical Realm and a fossil is known from Dominican amber.
Salyavatinae are a subfamily of the assassin bugs. They have a pan-tropical distribution with about 16 genera. They have two foretarsal segments and have a patch of fine hairs known as the fossula spongiosa on the fore and mid tibia. Many species tend to have spines on the head, pronotum, legs and abdomen. A few species have the foretibia flattened into leaf-like structures.
