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True bugs, collectively known as Hemiptera,
are one of the major orders of insects found in the UK, currently comprising
nearly 2000 species. The Hemiptera is split into a number of suborders.
The Heteroptera includes what most people
know as the characteristic bugs, including shieldbugs, squashbugs, ground bugs,
stilt bugs, assassin bugs, damsel bugs, lacebugs, plant bugs and all water
bugs. The Auchenorrhyncha contain the leafhoppers, planthoppers, froghoppers,
treehoppers and cicadas. We then have the Sternorrhyncha, which includes
insects commonly referred to as psyllids (all of which are in the superfamily
Psylloidea) together with aphids, phylloxerans, scale insects and whiteflies. A
fourth suborder, the Coleorrhyncha, contains the moss bugs or beetle bugs,
though these are not represented in the UK.
All have piercing mouthparts with which they
can suck the juices from plants or animals - usually plants. Their mouthparts
are contained in a beak, known as a rostrum, which is usually held underneath
the body when not in use.
The above images depict an adult Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus) and a mating pair of
Hairy Shieldbugs (Dolycoris baccarum).
Both species are common and widespread in southern Britain.
More at: www.britishbugs.org.uk
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