Heteroptera

Lore & Background

The use of the name "Heteroptera" has had the rank of order, dating back to 1810 by Pierre André Latreille. Only recently has it been relegated to a subsidiary rank within a larger definition of Hemiptera, so many reference works still include it as an order. Whether to continue treating it as a suborder is still a subject of some controversy, as is whether the name itself should ever be used, although three basic approaches ranging from abolishing it entirely to maintaining the taxonomy with a slight change in systematics is proposed, two of which (but not the traditional one) agree with the phylogeny. The competing classifications call for a preference for two suborders versus one when the "living fossil" family Peloridiidae is taken into consideration. In one revised classification proposed in 1995, the name of the suborder is Prosorrhyncha, and Heteroptera is a rankless subgroup within it. The only difference between Heteroptera and Prosorrhyncha sensu Sorensen et al. is that Prosorrhyncha contains one additional infraorder, called Peloridiomorpha (comprising only 13 small genera). In the traditional classification, the Peloridiidae are retained as their own suborder, called Coleorrhyncha; "Heteroptera" is treated the same. Alternatively, the modified approach of placing Coleorrhyncha 'within' the Heteroptera can be used, preserving the well-known Heteroptera at the taxonomic rank they traditionally hold while making them a good monophyletic group. The name "Heteroptera" also creates an internal conflict in Linnean nomenclature, as it uses the ending "-ptera" for a rank above genus other than an order—though since it is a convention rather than a mandatory rule, taxonomists are technically free to violate it. At least some hemipterists argue that the name Heteroptera should be dropped entirely to eliminate this internal conflict, though the third possibility offers a workaround.

Reader's Guide

Their name, meaning "different wings", reflects the characteristic hemelytra found in most species—though members of the primitive sub-group Enicocephalomorpha have completely membranous wings. The classification of Heteroptera is a matter of ongoing dispute, with three basic approaches proposed: abolishing the name entirely, maintaining it as a suborder in a traditional sense (which may be paraphyletic), or expanding it to include the Coleorrhyncha (Peloridiidae) as a monophyletic group. The conflict stems from the realization that the Coleorrhyncha are "living fossil" relatives of the traditional Heteroptera, close enough to be united with that group. In one revised classification proposed in 1995, the name of the suborder is Prosorrhyncha, and Heteroptera is a rankless subgroup within it—the only difference being that Prosorrhyncha includes the family Peloridiidae, a tiny relictual group in its own monotypic superfamily and infraorder. The three infraorders Leptopodomorpha, Gerromorpha, and Nepomorpha comprise a significant component of the world's aquatic and semiaquatic insects, with 23 families, 343 genera and 4,810 species group taxa within these three infraorders. Most of the remaining common and familiar groups are in the Cimicomorpha and Pentatomomorpha. The legacy of Heteroptera lies in its role as a central taxon in hemipteran systematics, with its definition and rank continuing to evolve as phylogenetic understanding advances.

Did You Know?

• The name "Heteroptera" dates back to 1810, when Pierre André Latreille used it at the rank of order.
• Members of the primitive sub-group Enicocephalomorpha have completely membranous wings, unlike most Heteroptera which have hemelytra.
• The three infraorders Leptopodomorpha, Gerromorpha, and Nepomorpha contain 23 families, 343 genera and 4,810 species group taxa.
• In one revised classification proposed in 1995, the suborder Prosorrhyncha differs from Heteroptera only by including the family Peloridiidae (13 small genera).
• The Peloridiidae are considered a "living fossil" relative of the traditional Heteroptera.