Isoptera and Hemiptera order

1. TAXONOMIC CHARACTERS OF THE
ORDERS ISOPTERA AND HEMIPTERA

2. ORDER : ISOPTERA
Etymology : Iso-eqaual; Ptera - Wings
Synonyms : Termitiina/Termitida/Socialia
Common name : Termites, white ants

3. Termites are an important part of the
community of decomposers. They are
abundant in tropical and subtropical
environments where they help break
down and recycle up to one third of the
annual production of dead wood.
Termites become economic pests when
their appetite for wood and wood
products extends to human homes,
building materials, forests, and other

4. Spot ID Key Characters:
1.Wide junction between thorax and abdomen
2.Workers are cream-colored with beaded antenna and oval heads
3.Soldiers have larger heads with prominent mandibles

5. Development: Hemimetabola, i.e. incomplete
development (egg, nymph, adult)
Taxonomy: Polyneoptera, technically considered
advanced Blattodea, but kept separate for purposes
of this course
Distribution: Extremely common in tropical and
subtropical climates. Generally less abundant in
temperate regions. Approximately 4 family and 44
species in North America and 7 family and ~2300
species worldwide

6. Body : Minute to large size and soft bodied insects
Mouthparts : Chewing type
Eyes : Compound eyes present in winged form. In apterous
form may or may not present, ocelli 0 to 2
Antennae : Short, moniliform or filiform
Head : Prognathous, characteristic depression “Fontanella” is
present on the doesum of head
Mouthparts : Biting and chewing
Wings : Two pairs, identical in size, form and venation. Wings
membranous and semi transparent, venation not
distinct. Wings are extended beyond abdomen.
Flexed over abdomen when at rest.
Abdomen : Broadly joined to the thorax without constriction
Genital organs : Externally lacking in both sexes
Characters

9. The termites are another group of insects that appear to be closely related to
cockroaches. This conclusion is based on behavioral and ecological similarities between
termites and wood roaches (members of the family Cryptocercidae). These cockroaches live in
fallen timber on the forest floor, feeding on wood fibers which are then digested by symbiotic
microorganisms within their digestive systems. They live in small family groups where each
female provides care for her young offspring. Termites and wood roaches are thought to be close
relatives because they both occupy similar habitats, share the same type of food resources, have the
same intestinal symbionts, and provide care for their offspring.
Termites are the only hemimetabolous insects that exhibit true social behavior.
They build large communal nests that house an entire colony. Each nest contains adult
reproductives (one queen and one king) plus hundreds or thousands of immatures that serve as
workers and soldiers. Like cockroaches and mantids, the termites are most abundant in tropical and
subtropical climates.

10. 1.Body pale in color,
somewhat ant-like in
appearance but with a
broader junction between
thorax and abdomen
2.Compound eyes small
or absent
3.Head large and
cylindrical or small and
round
4.Antennae beaded
5.Mouthparts chewing;
sometimes with large
mandibles
1.Body may be darkly
pigmented
2.Head well-developed,
with chewing mouthparts
and beaded antennae
3.Compound eyes present
4.Two pairs of
membranous wings, all
similar in shape and size;
wings are shed after
mating

11. hymenoptera isoptera
Common name : Termites, white ants

12. Caste system exists in Isoptera. Each group of individuals that
perform the same function is called a caste.
There are four castes. They are King, Queen, Worker and Soldier.
Tow major types of termite caste – based on their reproductive
ability viz., Reproductive and Non reproductive.

14. Reproductives : Late stage nymphs with developing wing buds
differentiate into reproductives, which are
seasonally produced.
There are two types of reproductives.
1.Primary reproductives: Dark coloured body, well sclerotised
with well developed compound eyes and wings, fertile and
founders of the colony.
2. Secondary reproductives: Pale coloured body, poorly
sclerotised. Compound eyes and wings not well developed.
Replace the primary reproductives when they die.
King: Intermittently fertilizes the queen. Helps the queen in the
construction of nuptial chamber and rearing the first brood.
Queen: Single queen per colony. After mating, the abdomen gets
bloated due to stretching of inter-segmental membranes to
accommodated the well developed ovaries. Obesity is known as
Physogastry.

16. Non-reproductives: Larvae (immature without
developing wing buds) give rise to non reproductives
which are regularly produced. They may be of either
sex.
Non- reproductives are sterile since the reproductive organs
are atrophied. They are usually blind and apterous and are
differentiated into
1. Workers: soft bodies, unpigmented. Mandibles and
salivary glands well developed.
2. Soldiers: two types of soldiers are there.
a). Mandibulate: large head, sclerotised with well
developed mandibles.
b). Nasute: head is drawn into a nozzle shaped projection
at the tip of which opens Frontal gland. The glandular
secretions are used during defense.

19. Termitidae
This is the largest family of termites worldwide, but all
of the North American species are relatively minor in
importance.

20. Rhinotermitidae
(Subterranean termites)
These insects build nests in the soil and generally
infest wood that is in contact with the ground. This
family includes the most destructive species found in
the United States: the eastern subterranean termite
(Reticulitermes flavipes), the western subterranean
termite (R. hesperus), and the Formosan subterranean
termite (Coptotermes formosanus).

21. Hodotermitidae
(Rottenwood termites)
Generally found inhabiting moist wood. Contact
with the soil is not a requirement. This family
includes the Pacific dampwood
termite, Zootermopsis angusticollis.

22. Kalotermitidae
(Drywood and dampwood termites)
These insects nest in the wood itself and do not
require contact with the soil. Pest species include the
western drywood termite (Incisitermes minor) and the
forest tree termite (Neotermes connexus).

23. Termites cannot digest
wood fibers. Their
digestive systems
contain symbiotic
protozoa or bacteria
that digest the cellulose
in wood. Termites live
on the by-products of
this digestion, and on
the bodies of the
symbionts themselves

24. Synonym : Rhynchota
Common name : Plant bugs or True bugs
ORDER : HEMIPTERA
Etymology : Hemi - half; ptera - wings

25. Characters
Body : Minute to large sized insects
Head : Opisthognathous
Mouth parts : Piercing and sucking type. Labium is
modified into sheath like rostrum, which
is usually four segmented. Two pairs of
stylets are present (modified mandibules
and maxillae). Both labial palps and
maxillary palps are atrophied.
Antennae : Mostly with four or five segments
Wings : Fore wings mostly hemelytra basally
coriaceous and distally membranous
Cerci : Absent

27. CHARACTERS HETEROPTEA HOMOPTERA
Forewings (Hetero-different) (Homo-uniform)
Hemelytra Uniformly textured
Wings at rest Held flat over abdomen Held roof like over abdomen
Labium Arises from the front part of
head
Arises posteriorly (Deflexed)
Bases of foreleg Do not touch the sides of the
head
Touch the sides of the head
Habitat Both terrestrial and aquatic
(Herbivorous, predaceous,
blood suckers)
Only terrestrial (Herbivorous)
Dorsal ocelli 0 or 2 2 or 3
Antennae Relatively long Short
Scutellum Distinct, Well developed Not distinct, Not well
developed
Glands Many possess repugnatorial
glands
Several members have wax
glands
Honey dew secretion Uncommon Common
This orders is divided into two suborders

29. Bugs suck the prey by
Rostrum

31. Predaceous insects.
Head is narrow elongated and beak like.
The portion behind the compound eyes is narrow and resembles
a beak.
The rostrum is short and three segmented.
Antenna is filiform. Abdomen is broad in the middle.
The lateral margins of the abdomen are exposed beyond the
margin of the wings.
1) Family : Reduviidae (Assassin bugs /
Cone nose bugs / Kissing bugs)
SUBORDER: HETEROPTERA

32. Antenna is five segmented Scutellum is prominent and shield
like.
Both adults and nymphs produce a disagreeable odour from
stink glands present in metathorax and abdomen.
2) Family : Pentatomidae (Shield bugs/Stink bugs)

33. Beak and antennae are four segmented.
Forewings are titled at a distinct angle posterior to abdomen. Loop
veins are found in membrane.
Wings are tilted downwards.
Nymphs and adults feed on plant juices and some species cause
"phytoxemia" due to the injection of toxic saliva.
Few insect in this family are also predaceous.
e.g. Tea mosquito bug Helopeltis antonii, causes cankerous wart like
outgrowth on guava fruits.
3) Family : Miridae (Plant bugs / Leaf bugs)

34. Membranous hind wings with many branching veins arise from a
transverse basal vein.
Stink glands are found inside the metathorax and the gland openings
are found on the sides of the thorax between middle and hind coxae.
They emit a bad odour.
4) Family : Coreidiae (Squash bugs / Leaf footed
bugs)

35. They are elongate oval bugs, Show warning colouration. They are
brightly marked with red and black.
Hind wings are membranous with branched veins and cells.
e.g. Cotton stainer, Dysdercus cingulatus . Feeding injury caused by
these bugs invites the fungus Nematospora resulting in yellowish
brown discolouration of the lint.
5) Family : Pyrrhocoridae (Red bugs /
Stainers)

36. Cuneus is absent in hemelytra.
Membrane has few irregular veins (4-5 veins) arising from a
transverse basal vein.
e.g. Dusky cotton bug, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis. Nymphs and
adults suck the seeds of injured or already opened bolls and reduce
seed quality.
6) Family : Lygaeidae (Seed bugs /
Chinch bugs)

37. Insect mimics scorpion.
Predaceous with raptorial type of fore legs.
Very poor swimmers.
Middle leg and hind leg are not adopted for swimming hence
they usually crawl along the muddy bottom of ponds.
Cerci modified into a caudal breathing tube.
7) Family : Nepidae (Water scorpions)

38. Large sized insect with bead like eyes.
Antennae are concealed in ear like pockets.
Raptorial fore legs adopted for capturing prey.
Middle legs are adopted for swimming.
Tibia and tarsus of the posterior legs are flattened and fringed with
hairs.
Abdomen with two retractile apical appendages, forming terminal
breathing tube.
Dorsum of the abdomen is concave forming an air reservoir under the
wings. They are excellent fliers and swimmers attracted to light. In
some species eggs are laid on the back of the male. They suck the
blood from toads, frogs, fishes and even human being.
8) Family : Belastomatidae (Giant water bug/Electric light
bug)

39. Found mainly on fresh water.
Moderately large and elongate insects.
Legs are supplied with large number of minute hairs.
Insects skate over the water surface with their middle and hind legs.
Fore legs are short and raptorial.
Middle legs are long useful in pushing and hind legs are long and useful
for steering.
Predaceous on any insects falling on water.
9) Family : Gerridae (Pond skaters or
water striders)

40. Blood sucking ectoparasites of man and animals.
Body is flat and broadly oval. Hemelytra are very short.
Head is short, broad and pushed into the thorax.
Scent glands open out dorsally on the first three abdominal
segments. Hoemocoel insemination occurs.
Nocturnal in habit. Female lays 50-200 cylindrical eggs.
Under favourable conditions the nymph reaches adulthood in
seven weeks. In cold climate it may take 6 months or even
longer.
10) Family : Cimicidae (Bed bugs)

41. Pronotum has lateral expansions with like sculpturing.
Scutellum is concealed by pronotum.
Forewings have densely reticulated, raised wing venation, which exhibit
lace like markings.
Nymphs differ considerably from adults, they are spiny and have no lace
like markings.
Both nymphs and adults are found on the undersurface of the leaves in
groups and suck the sap which results in white spotted appearance on the
leaves. Honey dew secretion is common.
e.g. Banana lace wing bug, Stephanitis typicus.
11) Family : Tingidae (Lacewing bugs)

42. SUBORDER: HOMOPTERA

43. Males have sound producing organs at the base of the abdomen.
Sound producing organs consist a pair of large plates. The
opercula covering the cavity containing structures producing sound.
In the anterior part of the cavity beneath each operculum is a
yellowish membrane. A shining mirror is located in the posterior
part of the cavity. In the lateral wall of the cavity is an oval shaped
ribbed structure called the tymbal. These are vibrated by strong
muscles to produce sound. Each species has a characteristic song.
Tympanum is present in both the sexes.
Wings are transparent. Eggs are inserted into the tree twigs by the
female. Nymphs drop to the ground, enter the soil and geed on root
sap. Anterior femora of the nymph is thickened with spines beneath
and suited for digging the soil. Life cycle of periodical cicada lasts
for 13-17 years.
1) Family : Cicadidae (Cicadas)

45. Insects have wedge shaped body with attractive colour.
Hind tibiae have a double row or spines.
Ovipositor is modified for lacerating plant tissue.
Nymphs and adults have the habit of running sidewise.
They suck the plant sap and also transmit virus diseases.
e.g. Green leaf hopper, Nephotellix virescens, transmits Rice
Tungro virus disease.
2) Family : Cicadellidae (Leaf hopper or
jassids)

46. Large mobile flattened spur is present at the apex of hind
tibia.
e.g. Brown plant hopper, Nitaparvata lugens. It causes
hopper burn and transmits viral diseases in rice.
3) Family : Delphacidae (Planthoppers)

47. Body is pear shaped. Both alate (winged) and apterous (unwinged)
forms are found. A pair of cornicles or siphonculi or wax tube is
present in the dorsum of fifth or sixth abdominal segment, which
secretes wax like structures.
Aphids secrete copious amount of honey dew on which ant feeds,
which also invites sooty mould fungus growth.
Aphids are known for their extraordinary fecundity, shorter life span,
and parthenogenetic reproduction.
They suck the plant sap and also transmit plant diseases.
e.g. Cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii.
4) Family : Aphididae (Aphids or Plant lice or
Greenflies)

48. Adults resemble tiny frogs.
Hind tibiae with one or two lateral spines and a crown of short spine at the
tip. Nymphs are soft, whitish and live inside the froth.
Froth comes from a liquid released from alimentary canal and form a
mucilaginous substance excreted from the epidermal glands on the seventh
and eighth abdominal segments.
These are beaten into froth by means of the caudal appendages of the
insect. Spittle serves both as a protective device and a means of reducing
evaporation.
5) Family : Cercopidae (spittle bug or Cuckoo spit
or Frog hopper)

49. They are structurally modified to resemble thorns or other plant
parts.
Pronotum is large and it covers the head. It is also extended
backward over the abdomen.
Wings are concealed by pronotum.
Pronotal process is either partially developed or absent in
nymphs. Nymphs and adults suck tree sap and are commonly
attended by ants for their honey dew.
6) Family : Membracidae (Tree hoppers or
cowbugs)

50. Minute insects resemble tiny moths. Wings are opaque and dusted with
mealy white powdery wax. Wing venation is much reduced. Vasiform
orifice is present in the last abdominal tergite. It is a conspicuous opening
provided with an operculum. Beneath the operculum there is a tongue like
organ termed lingual. The anus opens at the base of the lingual through
which honey dew is excreted in large amount. Immature instars are
sessile, scale like with waxy covering. Metamorphosis approaches the
holometabolus type due to the presence of quiescent stage prior to the
emergence of adults.
e.g. Cotton whitefly, Bemesia tabaci, transmits vein clearing diseases
bendi.
7) Family : Aleyrodidae (Whiteflies)

51. Coccids exhibit sexual dimorphism.
Male coccids are gnat like with long antennae, lateral eyes and
vestigial mouth parts. Enlarged mesothorax bears one pair of wings
with one or two veins. Hind wings are reduced to halteres. A
quiescent stage is present in the life history.
In females, body segmentation is indistinct. Body wall is naked or
covered with a waxy coating. Females have neither wings nor legs.
They suck the plant sap. The first instar nymphs are active and known
as crawlers, which moult and become legless.
e.g. Coffee green scale, Coccus viridis.
8) Family : Coccidae (Scale insects and Soft
scales)

52. Adult female lacks antennae, legs and wings.
The body is covered by a hard, waxy shell like substance.
E.g.Coconut scale, Aspidiotus destructor.
9) Family : Diaspididae (Armoured scale)

53. Body is elongate oval in shape and segmentation is
distinct.
Body is covered by long radiating thread of mealy
secretion.
Functional legs are present in all instars.
Wings are absent.
e.g. Grape vine mealy bug Maconellicoccus hirsutus.
10) Family : Pseudococcidae (Mealy bugs)

54. Females are highly degenerate without legs, wings
and antennae.
The body is irregularly globular. Body is enclosed in
a thick resinous cell.
E.g. Lac insect, Kerria lacca. Dermal gland secretions
of the insect provide the stick lac.
11) Family : Kerridae (Lac insects)

55. Small active insect resembles minute cicadas.
Move actively by leaping and flying.
Hind leg is more muscular and suitable for jumping.
A prominent basal vein in the forewing formed by fusion of radius,
median and cubitus, Nymphs are sluggish.
e.g. Subabul psyllid, Heteropsylla cubana, a serious pest on
subabul.
12) Family : Psyllidae (Jumping plant lice)