CHAPTER VIII. 



Order V.— HEMIPTERA.* 



{Bugs, Plant-lice, Bark-lice, ct al.) 



The members of this order have four wings; in one sub-order the 

 first pair of wings are of the same thickness throughout, and usually 

 slope at the sides of the body ; in another sub-order the first pair of 

 wings arc thickened at the base, with thinner extremities which over- 

 lap on the back. The mouth-parts are formed for sucking. The 

 metamorphosis is incomplete. 



The Hemiptera comprises the insects which are properly called 

 bugs. This term is commonly applied to any thing that creeps or 

 crawls ; but the entomologist always refers to a member of this 

 order when he speaks of a bug. In addition to the general term 

 bug, the representatives of some of the families are known by special 

 names, as plant-lice, bark-lice, leaf-hoppers, water-boatmen, and 

 others. The order is a very important one ; it includes many spe- 

 cies injurious to vegetation, which often occur in such great numbers 

 as to destroy the plants infested. On the other hand, some of the 

 species are ranked among beneficial insects on account of their car- 

 nivorous habits ; while still others, as the cochineal and lac insects, 

 furnish us with useful products. 



The name Hemiptera was suggested by the form of the front 

 wings in the sub-order Heteroptera ; here the basal half of these 

 organs is thickened so as to resemble the elytra of beetles, only the 

 terminal half being wing-like. The second pair of wings are mem- 

 branous, and are folded beneath the first pair. On this account, the 

 latter are often termed wing-covers ; they are also termed Jiemcly- 

 tra, a word suggested by their structure. 



The wing-covers of the Heteroptera present characters much 

 used in classification ; and consequently special names have been 

 applied to the different parts. The thickened basal portion is 



* Hemiptera: hemi- (f/fii-), half; ptcron {nrepoi'), a wing 



