Bedbugs and kissing-bugs (bloodsucking Hemiptera)

Abstract

The Hemiptera or ′true bugs′ are widespread and numerous throughout tropical and temperate regions. Over 80 000 species are described, making this the largest of the exopterygote orders. The order has been traditionally divided into two suborders, Homoptera and Heteroptera, but a division into three or four suborders is now generally accepted. These names relate to the typical form of wings: the adults usually have the anterior pair of wings of harder consistency than the posterior pair (Hemiptera), either uniformly so (Homoptera), or with the apical portion more membranous than the remainder (Heteroptera). Many Heteroptera close their wings flat over the abdomen with the apical membranous areas overlapping (and so are sometimes referred to as ′cross-winged bugs′) (Fig. 14.2), while the Homoptera often carry their wings raised like a roof over their backs. The Homoptera are all phytophagous, and include many groups of economically important crop pests such as aphids (greenfly or plant lice), psyllids (jumping plant lice), coccids (scale insects), cicadellids (leafhoppers), and aleurodids (whitefly). Many of these are vectors of plant viruses and mycoplasmas. Sometimes such pests occur in vast numbers and, when fragmented, may become inhalant allergens.