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HEMIPTERA / HETEROPTERA

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More than 18 of 60+ families of Hemiptera (Heteroptera) have entomophagous species. The following key is adapted from Brues, Melander & Carpenter (1954) and Schlinger & Doutt (1964) by E. F. Legner:

Keys to Adults of Important Families of

Entomophagous Hemiptera

[Please refer to <Guide> for more illustrations & <Hemiptera> for order details]

HEMIPTERA <General Characteristics> [Latest Classification]

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1a. Antennae as long or longer than head, if not then eyes and ocelli absent

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1b. Antennae shorter than head, usually hidden in cavities beneath the eyes

3

2a. Eyes, and often ocelli, present

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2b. Both eyes and ocelli absent ........... Termitaphididae <Overview>

4

3a. Claws apical, last tarsal segment with entire tip

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3b. Claws of at least front tarsi distinctly ante apical, the apex of last tarsal segment more or less cleft

5

4a. Antennae with 4 segments, not counting minute intermediate ring segments or antenniferous tubercles on the head if present

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4b. Antennae with 5 segments ............ Pentatomidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

6

5a. Tarsal claws devoid of basal pads (arolia), if present then meso- and metasternum are composite or front legs are raptorial

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5b. Tarsal claws provided with arolia

7

6a. Meso- and metasternum composite, formed of more than 1 piece

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6b. Meso- and metasternum simple, formed of a single piece

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7a. Proboscis with 3 segments ............. Anthocoridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

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7b. Proboscis with 4 segments .............. Miridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

9

8a. Pronotum simple, often large and broad, or long and narrow; head not constricted at base behind eyes

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8b. Pronotum divided into 3 lobes; head constricted at base behind eyes ......... Enicocephalidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

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9a. Antennae elbowed, slender filiform or often thin apically

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9b. Antennae short, with last segment swollen or enlarged ........... Phymatidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

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10a. Prosternum with a cross-striated median stridulation groove; proboscis with 3 segments ............ Reduviidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

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10b. Prosternum without a stridulation groove; proboscis usually with 4 segments ............ Nabidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

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11a. Antennae not elbowed; head not constricted in front of eyes ............ Lygaeidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

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11b. Antennae elbowed; head constricted in front of eyes ........... Berytidae (Neididae) <Overview>

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12a. Hind femora extending much beyond apex of abdomen; proboscis with 4 segments ............ Gerridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

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12b. Hind femora not extending much beyond apex of abdomen; proboscis with 3 segments .......... Veliidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

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13a. Ocelli present

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13b. Ocelli absent

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14a. Antennae exposed; front legs formed for running ........... Ochteridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

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14b. Antennae hidden; front legs raptorial .......... Nerthridae <Habits being sought>

16

15a. Front coxae inserted at or near front margin of prosternum; hind tarsi with distinct claws........................

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15b. Front coxae inserted at hind margin of short prosternum, hind tarsi without claws ........... Notonectidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

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16a. Upper wings with membrane reticulately veined

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16b. Upper wings without veins ...........Naucoridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

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17a. Hind coxae hinged; hind legs fitted for swimming .......... Belostomatidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>

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17b. Hind coxae globular, rotating; hind legs formed for walking, not flattened .......... Nepidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>