Hemiptera - The Bugs
The Hemiptera, for some reason, get the distinction of being dubbed "bugs". While the word "bug" is generally used to describe any or all arthropods, in binomial nomenclature it refers specifically to the Hemiptera. An incredibly diverse group of insects, they feed with the aid of piercing mouthparts enclosed in a beak-like rostrum, on both plants and animals. They have been broken into four suborders: Heteroptera (the true bugs), Auchenorrhyncha (the cicadas, lanternflies and hoppers), Sternorrhyncha (the aphids and scales), and Coleorrhyncha (the moss bugs). The ordinal name Hemiptera, is derived from Greek words meaning “half-wing”. Hemiptera appear in the fossil record during the Permian (280-225 million years ago). There are about 82,000 known species with more being described all the time.
Suborder Auchenorrhyncha (=Homoptera) - The Cicadas, Lanternflies and Hoppers
The Auchenorrhyncha, formerly known under the name Homoptera, are the most familiar of the bugs, with cicadas being the most well known insects in the group. The Auchenorryncha, along with the Sternorrhyncha, comprise the archaic suborder Homoptera (now divided based on the dissimilarities of aphids and cicadas). Auchenorrhyncha contains the aforementioned cicadas as well as lesser known "bugs", like lanternflies, planthoppers and treehoppers. However, the debate rages on as to whether or not the Auchenorryncha are paraphyletic, with the Coleorrhyncha (moss bugs) and Heteroptera derived from within it. Anyway, when all researchers can agree on the phylogenesis of these damned insects, we'll change names again. For now, because of the distinct outward appearances of the insects under question, we'll just keep things divided as they are. Auchenorrhynchans can be found almost everywhere there are plants. They use their downward-pointing rostrum to suck plant juices, their exclusive diet.
Milky Cicada (Ayuthia spectabilis)
Cicada (Cryptotympana aquila)
Alligator-headed Lanternfly (Fulgora laternaria = Laternaria phosphorea)
Cicadas (Gaeana festiva)
Cicada (Gaeana laosensis)
Cicada (Gaeana maculata)
Cicada (Huechys sp.)
Sharpshooters (Oncometopia nigricans & Homalodisca sp.)
Lanternfly (Penthicodes variegata)
Giant Cicada (Pomponia imperatoria)
Lanternfly (Pyrops clavata)
Lanternfly (Pyrops viridirostris)
Cicada (Quesada gigas)
Cicada (Talainga binghami)
Cicadas (Tibicen spp.) Nymph and Adults
Cicada (Tosena splendida)
Cicada (Tosena sybilla)
Suborder Heteroptera - The True Bugs
The true bugs have a rostrum which can be pointed in many directions, allowing them greater range of food sources. This is unfortunate for humans since many Heteropterans have chosen to feed exclusively on the vital fluids of animals, including Homo sapiens. In fact, bedbugs (Cimicidae) have taken human blood as their preferred source of food. Many other Hemipterans feed on plant juices, with some species becoming pests to agriculturists.
Giant Leaf-footed Bug (Acanthocephala declivis)
Green Stink Bug (Acrosternum hilare)
Common Water Striders (Aquarius (=Gerris) remigis)
True Water Bugs (Belostoma sp.)
Shield-backed Bug (Callidea signata)
Tessaratomid Bug (Catacanthus incarnatus)
Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis)
Giant Waterbug (Lethocerus americanus)
Giant Red Bugs (Lohita grandis)
Backswimmers (Notonecta spp.)
Tessaratomid Bugs (Oncomeris dilatus)
Tessaratomid Bugs (Oncomeris flavicornis)
Giant Corsair Bug (Platymeris biguttata)
Giant Mesquite Bug (Thasus neocalifornicus)