He·mip·ter·a / həˈmiptərə/ Entomol. a large order of insects that comprises the true bugs, which include aphids, cicadas, leafhoppers, and many others. They have piercing and sucking mouthparts and incomplete metamorphosis. See also Heteroptera, Homoptera. ∎  [as pl. n.] (hemiptera) insects of this order; true bugs. DERIVATIVES: he·mip·ter·an n. & adj. he·mip·ter·ous / -tərəs/ adj.

Hemiptera (true bugs; class Insecta, subclass Pterygota) Order of insects in whose life cycle there is no true pupal stage, and which never have an eleventh abdominal segment or cerci. The mouth-parts are modified into a rostrum or, in non-feeding stages of some species, are completely lacking. There are typically two pairs of wings, of which the anterior pair are usually wholly or partly toughened to protect the membranous posterior pair over which they are folded at rest. There are two suborders, Homoptera and Heteroptera.

Hemiptera An order of exopterygote insects comprising the true bugs. Hemipterans typically have oval flattened bodies with two pairs of wings, which are folded back across the abdomen at rest. The forewings are hardened, either at their bases only (in the suborder Heteroptera) or uniformly (in the suborder Homoptera). The mouthparts are modified for piercing and sucking, with long slender stylets forming a double tube. Many bugs feed on plant sap and are serious agricultural pests, including aphids, leaf-hoppers, scale insects, mealy bugs, etc. Others are carnivorous, and the order contains many aquatic species, such as the water boatmen, which have legs adapted for swimming and the exchange of respiratory gases.