| Hemiptera | ‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; half + &unr_; wing, fr. &unr_; to fly. ] (Zool.) An order of hexapod insects having a jointed proboscis, including four sharp stylets (mandibles and maxillae), for piercing. In many of the species (Heteroptera) the front wings are partially coriaceous, and different from the others. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ They are divided into the Heteroptera, including the squash bug, soldier bug, bedbug, etc.; the Homoptera, including the cicadas, cuckoo spits, plant lice, scale insects, etc.; the Thysanoptera, including the thrips, and, according to most recent writers, the Pediculina or true lice. |