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HEMIPTERA / HETEROPTERA
(fr.
Schlinger & Doutt, 1964)
More than 18 out of 60+ families of
Hemiptera (Heteroptera) have entomophagous species.
The following key is
adapted from Brues, Melander & Carpenter (1954) and Schlinger & Doutt
(1964):
Keys to Adults of Important Families of Entomophagous Hemiptera
[Please refer to <Guide>
for illustrations (Powerful connections use <Guide-2>)]
1a. Antennae as long or longer than head, if not
then eyes and ocelli
absent...............................................................................2
1b. Antennae shorter than head, usually hidden
in cavities beneath the
eyes.............................................................................13
2a. Eyes, and often ocelli,
present................................................................................................................................................3
2b. Both eyes and ocelli
absent..........................................................................................................................Termitaphididae
3a. Claws apical, last tarsal segment with
entire
tip.....................................................................................................................4
3b. Claws of at least front tarsi distinctly
anteapical, the apex of last tarsal segment more or less
cleft.....................................12
4a. Antennae with 4 segments, not counting
minute intermediate ring segments or antenniferous tubercles on the head if
present............................................................................................................................................................................5
4b. Antennae with 5 segments................................................................................................................................Pentatomidae
5a. Tarsal claws devoid of basal pads (arolia),
if present then meso- and metasternum are composite or front legs are raptorial
,.......................................................................................................................................................................................6
5b. Tarsal claws provided with
arolia..........................................................................................................................................11
6a. Meso- and metasternum composite, formed of
more than 1
piece...........................................................................................7
6b. Meso- and metasternum simple, formed of a
single
piece.......................................................................................................8
7a. Proboscis with 3 segments.................................................................................................................................Anthocoridae
7b. Proboscis with 4
segments............................................................................................................................................Miridae
8a. Pronotum simple, often large and broad, or
long and narrow; head not constricted at base behind
eyes................................9
8b. Pronotum divided into 3 lobes; head
constricted at base behind
eyes...........................................................Enicocephalidae
9a. Antennae elbowed, slender filiform or often
thin
apically.....................................................................................................10
9b. Antennae short, with last segment swollen or
enlarged.........................................................................................Phymatidae
10a. Prosternum with a cross-striated median
stridulation groove; proboscis with 3
segments...................................Reduviidae
10b. Prosternum without a stridulation groove;
proboscis usually with 4
segments.........................................................Nabidae
11a. Antennae not elbowed; head not constricted
in front of
eyes.................................................................................Lygaeidae
11b. Antennae elbowed; head constricted in front
of eyes...............................................................................................Neididae
12a. Hind femora extending much beyond apex of
abdomen; proboscis with 4
segments...............................................Gerridae
12b. Hind femora not extending much beyond apex
of abdomen; proboscis with 3 segments..........................................Veliidae
13a. Ocelli
present........................................................................................................................................................................14
13b. Ocelli
absent.........................................................................................................................................................................15
14a. Antennae exposed; front legs formed for
running.................................................................................................Ochteridae
14b. Antennae hidden; front legs raptorial.....................................................................................................................Nerthridae
15a. Front coxae inserted at or near front margin
of prosternum; hind tarsi with distinct claws..................................................16
15b. Front coxae inserted at hind margin of short
prosternum, hind tarsi without claws..........................................Notonectidae
16a. Upper wings with membrane reticulately
veined.................................................................................................................17
16b. Upper wings without
veins...................................................................................................................................Naucoridae
17a. Hind coxae hinged; hind legs fitted for
swimming........................................................................................Belostomatidae
17b. Hind coxae globular, rotating; hind legs
formed for walking, not flattened..............................................................Nepidae