Enicocephalomorpha

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Enicocephalomorpha
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Suborder:
Infraorder:
Enicocephalomorpha
Superfamily:
Enicocephaloidea
Families

Enicocephalidae
Aenictopecheidae

Enicocephalomorpha is an infraorder of the hemipteran suborder Heteroptera ("true bugs"). The infraorder was formerly thought to be related to the Reduviidae because of similarities in head structure. Entomologists now believe it is different enough from other Heteroptera to constitute a separate infraorder and probably represents the sister group of the rest of the suborder. [1]

Heteroptera suborder of insects

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.

Reduviidae family of insects

The Reduviidae are a large cosmopolitan family of the order Hemiptera. They can be perceived as slightly unusual, but they are very common among the Hemiptera because almost all are terrestrial ambush predators. The main examples of nonpredatory Reduviidae are some blood-sucking ectoparasites in the subfamily Triatominae. Though spectacular exceptions are known, most members of the family are fairly easily recognizable; they have a relatively narrow neck, sturdy build, and formidable curved proboscis. Large specimens should be handled with caution, if at all, because they sometimes defend themselves with a very painful stab from the proboscis.

Notes

  1. Triplehorn, C. and Johnson, N.: "Borror and DeLong's Introduction to the Study of Insects, 7th Ed.", page 301. Brooks/Cole, 2005.


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