The HEMIPTERA order form the fifth largest group of insects in Britain with nearly 2,000 species in 63 families, that are separated into three suborders: HETEROPTERA (bugs), AUCHENORRHYNCHA (hoppers) and STERNORRHYNCHA (plant parasites). 

 

HEMIPTERA essentially means 'half-winged', referring to a characteristic of these insects that is particularly evident in the bugs where their forewings are distinctly divided with a tough and thickened, leathery base, but membranous tip. They fold their wings flat over the abdomen when at rest which, typically, leaves the scutellum exposed and conspicuous. The hoppers and plant parasites have membranous or hardened, but undivided, wings that are held tent-like over their body largely obscuring the scutellum. Whilst all these hemipteran species differ quite considerably in appearance, they share an important common feature in that they're mostly plant feeders with piercing mouthparts that are adapted for sucking rather than chewing. Again, this is most obvious with the bugs who have a beak-like protruding rostrum, whereas in the other species the mouthparts point down and back. 

 

Unlike the previously featured Hymenopteran, Dipteran and Coleopteran species that undergo a complete metamorphosis, Hemipterans have a three-stage development process where the eggs hatch directly into nymphs that, in varying degrees, resemble the adults. They moult a number of times as they grow with each stage, known as an instar, taking them one step closer to becoming an adult.

 

The HETEROPTERA (bugs) suborder is split into four infraorders: PENTATOMOMORPHA (Shieldbugs and allies), CIMICOMORPHA (Plant bugs and allies), LEPTOPODOMORPHA (Shorebugs) and NEPOMORPHA (Aquatic bugs). There are 35 families in all (some small and/or obscure, and only fifteen or so currently represented here) that within their separate groups are placed within various superfamilies, subfamilies or tribes as confirmed in the associated family and/or species accounts. All of the more frequently encountered species have common names.

 

The AUCHENORRHYNCHA (hoppers) suborder is divided two infraorders: CICADOMORPHA  (Cicadas, Spittlebugs, Froghoppers, Leafhoppers and Treehoppers) and  FULGOROMORPHA (Lacehoppers and Planthoppers), both of which have their own collective, rather than family, linked account page as I've only photographed a few species. The suborder includes 9 families and 380+ species with the majority being classified as leaf or planthoppers. 

 

The third suborder STERNORRHYNCHA (plant parasites) is not represented here. I may include a page in the future for psyllids and aphids if I have suitable material but, at present, there are plenty of other bugs that I should be trying to find.

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