Insect Order Hemiptera also called
Order - Heteropteran
These are "the true bugs." They
are found worldwide, in climates from tropical to arctic. There are
30,000 known species; most live in tropical areas.
Heteropterans range in size from under
one millimeter (0.04 inch) to more than 100 mm. They are distinguished
from other insects by the presence of a pair of simple eyes in front of
and above the compound eyes, a hardened gula (the area below the mouthparts),
and an "X" formed on the back by the overlapped wings. They live chiefly
on plant or animal juices. Heteropterans are important to man in
several ways. Some, such as plant bugs (Miridae) and stinkbugs (Pentatomidae),
may damage crops while feeding. On the other hand, certain predatory heteropterans
are used to control infestations of other crop-damaging insects. Some,
like the bedbugs, are biting pests, and still other may serve as carriers
of various diseases.