FAUNA PARAGUAY HETEROPTERAN IMAGE GALLERY

Hemipterans are bugs, representing almost 10% of all described insects and occurring in a wide variety of habitats, both terrestrial and aquatic. They range in size from small to very large and include such well known groups as cicadas, planthoppers, aphids and true bugs. All Hemipterans possess piercing mouthparts (the stylet or rostrum) which enable them to feed on plant sap or animal juices, and many species are considered commercial pests. Some species have reduced wings and others lack them entirely. Immature stages (nymphs) generally resemble miniature adults. The Hemiptera are split into several suborders which are summarised below.
The figure in brackets after the family names refer to the number of identified species in the gallery.
Click on the taxonomic links below to access the images.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
Click on the species links to access the FAUNA Paraguay Handbook of Paraguayan fauna species accounts.

SUBORDER HETEROPTERA
The Heteropterans were formerly split into three broad groups, the Geocorisae (terrestrial hemipterans), Amphibicorisae (water surface hemipterans) and Hydrocorisae (aquatic hemipterans). Today this classification is no longer used and is replaced by seven infraorders that better reflect inter-familial relationships.

Infraorder Nepomorpha
Superfamily Nepoidea
Family Belostomatidae - Giant Water Bugs
Superfamily Corixioidea
Family Corixidae - Lesser Waterboatmen

Infraorder Cimicomorpha
Superfamily Reduvoidea
Family Reduviidae - Assassin Bugs (15)
Superfamily Miroidea
Family Miridae - Plant Bugs
Superfamily Cimicoidea
Family Nabidae - Damsel Bugs

Infraorder Pentatomorpha
Superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea
Family Pyrrhocoridae - Cotton Stainers

Superfamily Coroidea
Family Alydidae - Broad-headed Bugs (1)

Family Coreidae - Leaf-footed Bugs (14)

Superfamily Lygaeoidea
Family Berytidae - Stilt Bugs

Superfamily Pentatomoidea
Family Pentatomidae - Shield Bugs (11)

Family Scutellaridae - Tortoise Bugs

The following suborders - Auchenorrhynchans and the Stenorrhynchans - were formerly placed in a single suborder "Homoptera" an old taxonomic grouping that has been demonstrated to be multi-phyletic and hence is no longer accepted in modern classifications.

SUBORDER AUCHENORRHYNCHA
This suborder contains the leafhoppers, cicadas, planthoppers, lantern bugs and similar groups. The most reliable distinguishing feature of this suborder is the position of the rostrum - it originates from the underside of the rear part of the head. In fact the name Auchenorrhyncha is derived from the Greek meaning "neck snout". Members of this suborder possess short bristle-like antennae, three tarsal segments between the end of the tibia and the claw and the vast majority of species are winged and active. Hoppers are particularly noted for their jumping abilities whilst the cicadas are well-known for the loud sounds that they are capable of producing.

Superfamily Cercopoidea:

Family Aphrophoridae - Spittlebugs (1)

Family Cercopidae - Froghoppers

Superfamily Cicadoidea: Antennae located in front of or between the compound eyes. Middle coxae reduced and contiguous. Single anal veins.

Family Cicadellidae - Leafhoppers (3)

Family Cicadidae - Cicadas (4)

Family Membracidae - Treehoppers (7)

Superfamily Fulgaroidea: Antennae located on the side of the head beneath the compound eyes. Middle coxae elongated and separate. Pair of anal veins on the forewings often meet distally to form a Y-vein.

Family Delphacidae - Spurred Planthoppers

Family Dictyopharidae - Horned Planthoppers

Family Fulgoridae - Lantern Bugs (2)

SUBORDER STERNORRHYNCHA
This suborder contains the aphids, scale bugs and plant lice amongst other groups. Sternorrhynchans are characterised by the fact that the rostrum originates from the underside of the body between the front legs (Sternorrhyncha stems from the Greek "chest nose"). Sternorrhynchans have only one or two tarsal segments and the antennae vary - they may be long and thread-like or even completely absent! In some groups (especially the Coccidae) females and immature stages are completely immobile and may not even look like insects. Many members of this group are considered pests and have a considerable economic impact on agriculture.

Superfamily Aphidoidea:

Family Aphididae - Aphids

Superfamily Coccoidea:

Family Coccidae - Scale Bugs