FIELD BOOK OF INSECTS. 



HEMIPTERA IN GENERAL 



In the older system of classification "Hemiptera" 

 included insects which are now considered by some good 

 authorities as more conveniently classed in three orders, 

 including Siphunculata (p. 78). They all have sucking 

 mouth parts, if any, and, with certain exceptions, incom- 

 plete metamorphosis. The other two orders (or suborders), 

 which have jointed beaks, may be separated as follows: 



Each wing of the same texture throughout and usually 

 sloping, roof-like, at the sides of the body; beak arising 

 from the hinder part of the lower side of the head; the 

 head so closely joined to the thorax that the bases of the 

 fore legs touch the sides of the head HOMOPTERA. 



Each front wing with the base usually more or less 

 thickened, the extremity thinner; wings lying flat on the 

 back, when folded, the membranous tips overlapping; 

 beak arising from the front part of the head ; bases of front 

 legs not touching the sides of the head. . . .HETEROPTERA 

 or Hemiptera, in the limited sense (p. 95). 



HOMOPTERA 



Members of this group differ so much among themselves 

 that several families will probably soon be classed as 

 separate orders. The following key is a modification of 

 the one given by Brues and Melander. 



1. Active, free-living species; beak plainly arising from 

 the head; tarsi 3-jointed; antennae very short, with a 

 small, terminal bristle 2. 



Females often inactive or incapable of moving; beak 

 appearing to arise between the front legs, sometimes 

 absent in males; tarsi, if present, I- or 2-jointed; antennae 

 usually well developed (sometimes absent), without 

 conspicuous terminal bristle 6. 



2. Our species, usually, at least .5 in. long; three ocelli on 

 top of the head; antennae with short basal joint, terminated 

 by a hau'-like process which is divided into about 5 joints; 

 front femora thickened and generally spined beneath. 



CICADID^E (p. 82). 



80 



