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

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

From Project Gutenberg

Among other things, she speaks of a large hemipterous fly, which has in consequence of her reports been named Fulgora lanternaria.

From Project Gutenberg

To the same order belongs the singular hemipterous insect of our ponds, the boat-fly (Notonecta).

From Project Gutenberg

A genus of Hemipterous insects commonly seen skipping over ponds in England.

From Project Gutenberg

On a wall at Iggsund I found a nondescript hemipterous insect.

From Project Gutenberg