Thysanoptera, Neuroptera, Hemiptera

Thysanoptera

Thrips

Thysanoptera metamorphosis

Hemimetabolous, extended metamorphosis with "quiescent final nymph stage"

Thysanoptera mouthparts

rasping-sucking

Thysanoptera diet

Herbivores (some predators)

Thysanoptera impact

Pests, some predators beneficial

Thysanoptera unique characteristic

Parthinogenic

Thysanoptera eggs

Laid in groups or singularly on the surface of or inside plants

Neuroptera

lacewings, antlions, owlflies

Neuroptera metamorphosis

Holometabolous

Neuroptera mouthparts

chewing

Neuroptera diet

predators (some herbivores)

Neuroptera impact

beneficial (predators)

Neuroptera eggs

Eggs laid singularly, long stalks on plants

Neuroptera identification

Two pairs membranous wings
Long filliform antennae
Large, widely separated eyes

Hemiptera metamorphosis

hemimetabolous

Hemiptera identifying features

piercing-sucking mouthparts, slender antennae

Heteroptera identifying features

Hemelytra forewings
Large pronotum
Triangular scutellum
Wings cross over back at rest

Heteroptera diet

varied

Homoptera diet

herbivores

Heteroptera habitat

varied

Homoptera habitat

terrestrial

Homoptera unique characteristic

gut filter chamber to process plant sap
Excrete excess as honeydew
Mutualism with ants

Homoptera identification

Entirely membranous OR uniformly textured wings

Pronotum

the top plate on the prothoracic segment. Often highly modified for defense, mating contests, or camouflage purposes.

scutellum

triangular plate on the back of hemiptera

clavus

corium

cuneus

tarsi

beak

Homoptera: Aphididae

aphids

Homoptera: Aphididae diet

herbivores

Homoptera: Aphididae fact

emit alarm pheremones

Homoptera: Cercopidae

Spittlebugs

Homoptera: Cercopidae diet

herbivores

Homoptera: Cercopidae identification

Tibial spines with "crown" at distal end

Homoptera: Cicadellidae

Leafhoppers

Homoptera: Cicadellidae diet

Herbivores

Homoptera: Cicadellidae identification

comb-like row of spies along tibia

Homoptera: Cicadidae

Cicadas

Homoptera: Cicadidae diet

herbivores

Homoptera: Cicadidae ID

Large, membranous wings
Triangle of 3 ocelli

Homoptera: Calophyidae

Jumping plant lice

Homoptera: Calophyidae diet

herbivores

Homoptera: Calophyidae ID

Circular cross sxn of antennae
Specific vein pattern on wings

Homoptera: Membracidae

Treehoppers

Homoptera: Membracidae diet

herbivores

Homoptera: Membracidae ID

Large pronotum covering head and extending over abdomen

Heteroptera: Belostomatidae

Toe biters

Heteroptera: Belostomatidae habitat

aquatic

Heteroptera: Belostomatidae diet

predators

Heteroptera: Belostomatidae ID

raptorial forelegs

Heteroptera: Corixidae

Water boatmen

Heteroptera: Corixidae diet

herbivores

Heteroptera: Corixidae habitat

aquatic

Heteroptera: Corixidae ID

Tarsi of hind legs fringed
Scoop shaped forelegs
Antennae under eyes
Swim right side up

Heteroptera: Notonectidae

backswimmers

Heteroptera: Notonectidae habitat

aquatic

Heteroptera: Notonectidae diet

predators

Heteroptera: Notonectidae ID

Fringe/hair on multiple segments
Raptorial forelegs

Heteroptera: Gerridae

water striders

Heteroptera: Gerridae habitat

aquatic

Heteroptera: Gerridae diet

predators

Heteroptera: Gerridae

Long, slender legs made for skating

Heteroptera: Gelastocoridae

toad bugs

Heteroptera: Gelastocoridae habitat

aquatic

Heteroptera: Gelastocoridae diet

predators

Heteroptera: Gelastocoridae ID

Oval flattened shape, bulging eyes

Heteroptera: Anthocoridae

Pirate bugs

Heteroptera: Anthocoridae habitat

terrestrial

Heteroptera: Anthocoridae diet

predators

Heteroptera: Anthocoridae ID

few wing veins

Heteroptera Coreidae

squash bugs and leaf-footed bugs

Heteroptera Coreidae habitat

terrestrial

Heteroptera Coreidae diet

Herbivores

Heteroptera Coreidae ID

Leaf-like hind tibias in leaf-footed bugs
Head narrower than thorax

Heteroptera Lygaeidae

Seed bugs

Heteroptera Lygaeidae diet

Mostly herbiverous

Heteroptera Lygaeidae habitat

terrestrial

Heteroptera Lygaeidae ID

3-5 forewing veins

Heteroptera Miridae

plant bugs

Heteroptera: Miridae diet

herbivores

Heteroptera: Miridae habitat

terrestrial

Heteroptera: Miridae ID

No ocelli, presence of cuneus

Heteroptera: Pentatomidae

stink bugs

Heteroptera: Pentatomidae habitat

terrestrial

Heteroptera: Pentatomidae diet

herbivores

Heteroptera: Pentatomidae ID

pentagonal, shield-shaped body
5 segmented antennae

Heteroptera: Scutelleridae

Shield bugs

Heteroptera: Scutelleridae habitat

terrestrial

Heteroptera: Scutelleridae diet

herbivores

Heteroptera: Scutelleridae ID

No triangular scutellum
Scutellar shield

Heteroptera: Reduviidae

assassin bugs

Heteroptera: Reduviidae diet

predators (some blood feeders)

Heteroptera: Reduviidae habitat

terrestrial

Heteroptera: Reduviidae ID

Sternal groove for beak
elongated head
3 segmented beak

Heteroptera: Tingidae

lace bugs

Heteroptera: Tingidae diet

herbivores

Heteroptera: Tingidae habitat

terrestrial

Heteroptera: Tingidae ID

Extended pronotum
Lace-like wings