What type of insects are classified under Hemiptera?

The classification of insects under Hemiptera includes true bugs, which are characterized by their unique mouthparts adapted for piercing and sucking. This order also encompasses a wide variety of other insects, including bed bugs. Hemiptera is often recognized for its members having a flat body, liquid-feeding habits, and incomplete metamorphosis—meaning they undergo gradual changes rather than a complete transformation from larva to adult.

True bugs, within Hemiptera, include species like stink bugs, water bugs, and assassin bugs, which all show significant diversity in habitat and lifestyle. Bed bugs are well-known members of this group, infamous for their parasitic feeding on human blood.

The other classifications mentioned do not fit with Hemiptera: flies and mosquitoes belong to the order Diptera, ants and bees are classified under Hymenoptera, and cockroaches and termites fall under the order Blattodea. Thus, recognizing that Hemiptera is specifically associated with true bugs and bed bugs is crucial for understanding this classification.