Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids)
Hemiptera are called True Bugs and although the term “bug” is used to refer to most any insect, its proper use is for this group of insects. True bugs have syringe-like beaks that suck the liquified insides from their prey.
Hemiptera are mostly plant eaters but there’s always exceptions: some are predators, some are ectoparasites, and some are fungi feeders. You can find these insects in nearly every habitat. They are considered to be mostly host specific (need a specific plant to rear their young), yet we do not clearly understand all their relationships and behaviors. Each instar can require a certain host, and without it would not mature to the next instar. This makes it doubly important to note the plant a Hemiptera is feeding on when photographing or collecting.
Most Hemiptera overwinter as adults and a few overwinter as eggs or larvae. The shape of their eggs varies. The outside covering is dependent upon where the egg is laid. Those laid in the open have a thick outer membrane and are ornately formed while those laid in plant tissue or tight crevices are soft and drawn out. Most species lays a certain number of eggs in a certain pattern but there are a few species that lay single eggs.
List - Updated January 2025
Acanaloniidae (Planthopppers)
Alydidae (Broad-headed Bugs)
Aphididae (Aphids)
Aphrophoridae (Typical Spittlebugs)
Aphrophora cribrata
Belostomatidae (Giant Water Bugs)
Berytidae (Stilt Bugs)
Cercopidae – (Spittlebugs)
Cicadellidae (Leafhoppers)
Empoasca
Limotettix subgenus schleroracus (maybe kryptus)
Osbornellus
Osbornellus auronitens limosus or rotundus
Scaphytopius subgenus Cloanthanus
Cicadidae (Cicadas)
Clastopteridae (Froghoppers)
Coreidae (Leaf-footed Bugs)
Corixidae (Water Boatmen)
Cydnidae (Burrowing Bugs)
Amnestus
Amnestus pusillus
Delphacidae (Delphacid Planthoppers)
Derbidae (Derbid Planthoppers)
Dictyopharidae (Dictyopharid Planthoppers)
Flatidae (Flatid Planthoppers)
Gerridae (Water Striders)
Lygaeidae (Seed Bugs)
Membracidae (Treehoppers)
Ophiderma
Ophiderma pubescens or definita
Telamona
Mesoveliidae (Water treaders)
Miridae (Plant Bugs)
Metriorrhynchomiris dislocatus
Notonectidae (Backswimmers)
Pentatomidae (Stink Bugs)
Reduviidae (Assassin Bugs)
Rhopalidae (Scentless Plant Bugs)
Rhyparochromidae (Dirt colored Seed Bugs)
Thyreocoridae (Negro Bugs)
Tingidae (Lace Bugs)