hemipterous

[ hi-mip-ter-uhs ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Hemiptera, an order of insects having forewings that are thickened and leathery at the base and membranous at the apex, comprising the true bugs.
2. belonging or pertaining to the order Hemiptera, in some classifications comprising the heteropterous and homopterous insects.

hemipterous

/ hɪˈmɪptərəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Hemiptera, a large order of insects having sucking or piercing mouthparts specialized as a beak (rostrum). The group is divided into the suborders Homoptera (aphids, cicadas, etc) and Heteroptera (water bugs, bedbugs, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of hemipterous¹

First recorded in 1810–20; Hemipter(a) + -ous

Example Sentences

Eugereon is a remarkable Permian fossil, with jaws that are typically hemipterous except that the second maxillae are not fused and with cockroach-like wings.

From Project Gutenberg

An aquatic hemipterous insect of the genus Notonecta; Ð so called from swimming on its back, which gives it the appearance of a little boat.

From Project Gutenberg

Stridūlan′tia, a group of hemipterous insects, the cicadas.—v.i.

From Project Gutenberg

Scalpel′lum, one of the four filamentous organs in the proboscis of hemipterous insects:—pl.

From Project Gutenberg

Rhinortha, rī-nor′tha, n. a genus of cuckoos: a genus of hemipterous insects.

From Project Gutenberg