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Hemiptera

(Science: zoology) An order of hexapod insects having a jointed proboscis, including four sharp stylets (mandibles and maxillae), for piercing. In many of the species (heteroptera) the front wings are partially coriaceous, and different from the others.

They are divided into the heteroptera, including the squash bug, soldier bug, bedbug, etc.; the homoptera, including the cicadas, cuckoo spits, plant lice, scale insects, etc.; the thysanoptera, including the thrips, and, according to most recent writers, the pediculina or true lice.

Origin: NL, fr. Gr. Half _ wing, fr. To fly.