200 HEMIPTEEA. 



ORDER HEMIPTERA. 



HAUSTELLATE insects ; wings four, membranous, naked ; the 

 fore wings (in the Heteroptera) of a parchment-like consistency 

 (except sometimes at the tips), or (in the Homoptera) similar to 

 the hind wings ; metamorphosis incomplete ; and in one group 

 (Aphides) exhibiting alternation of generations. 



The two great groups into which the Hemiptera are divided 

 are not unfrequently regarded as Orders. 



HEMIPTERA HETEROPTERA. 



Fore wings horny; hind wings, and usually the tips of the 

 fore wings, membranous; antennae generally long, four- or five- 

 jointed ; head generally free. 



The Hemiptera Heteroptera include the true Bugs, an extensive 

 group of very varied structure and habits. The greater part of 

 the terrestrial species feed on plants ; a few, however, are carni- 

 vorous, feeding on other insects, or sucking the blood of animals 

 and birds, and most of the aquatic species are likewise carnivorous. 

 Several systems of classification have been proposed for this 

 section by various authors ; but they differ little, except as regards 

 the names of the principal families ; and our limits will not permit 

 us to notice the numerous sub-families into which the larger groups 

 have been divided. 



FAMILY I. Rcutelleridce. 



Beak prominent ; antennae not longer than the body, generally 

 five-jointed ; ocelli present ; body oval ; mesothorax larger than 

 the prothorax and metathorax together ; scutellum large or very 

 large, in some cases covering the whole of the wings and abdo- 

 men ; elytra coriaceous, with more or less of the extremity mem- 

 branous ; tarsi short. 



