The insects from the large detachment Hemiptera are one of the few living creatures that have settled around the planet. The northernmost species can be found far beyond the Arctic Circle. For many, these creatures are disgusted, and not unfounded. They can be carriers of dangerous infections, and domestic bugs cause numerous inconveniences. But let's digress from the danger they pose, and in our short review weird bugs, their macro photos and descriptions.
Sub-order Hemiptera
Biologists initially regarded the bugs as a separate detachment, and then introduced them into the suborder of semi-bugs. Today, about 40 thousand species live in wildlife, united in 50 large families.
Different species differ in body structure and size. Very small ones do not grow more than 1 mm, and large species reach 10–16 cm. Depending on the environment, a body shape is formed. There are flat, spherical, bug bugs and rod-shaped.
According to their lifestyle and diet, they are divided into predators, parasites, and herbivores. In nature, there are mixed types. Hematophages that drink the blood of animals, including humans, are especially dangerous. Cannibalism is common among bedbugs.
There are flying and flightless species, but all have three pairs of limbs. With the help of paws, they move, hold their prey, swim. Indoor are usually active at night, and hide during the day.
Protection
Most species have odorous glands that produce an unpleasant odor. It is believed that this is a way of protection from natural enemies. The aroma also plays the role of pheromones in the mating season.
The protective function is also performed by color. It is of two types. The first is a conspicuous, protective color. It is also called "combat." The second is bedbugs painted in contrasting bright colors. These are herbivorous individuals that do not have enemies in wildlife.
Varieties
Nature itself, and then scientists, divided these insects into three types: useful, harmful and harmless. There are other qualifications:
- Parasitic species feed only on the blood of animals.
- Herbivores drink plant juice with pleasure. Among them are pests that destroy grain crops.
- Cruciferous plants will harm cabbage, radish, radish in the garden.
- Berries prefer to settle among plantings of raspberries, currants, gooseberries.
- Water representatives live in reservoirs. They are considered the largest among bedbugs. They feed on small fish, hunt frogs and snails.
Parasites
Let's start with those who annoy a person the most. He drinks what’s called our blood.
1
Bedbug / Cimex lectularius
Settled everywhere. There are more than 100 species. There are different types - mattress, linen, book, sofa, bed, furniture. The diet includes blood of animals and humans. It settles in dwellings, farm buildings, cattle pens.
Some species live in caves, annoying bats. This species has no wings, but charm is highly developed. Thanks to the organs of touch, it easily finds blood vessels on the body.
They are characterized by a nocturnal lifestyle. During the day, hiding in the cracks, crawling into the furniture, under the mattresses. Households, if starving, can attack during the day.
2
White bug / Cimex adjunctus
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Lives mainly in North America, inhabiting caves. They are also called "mouse", as they drink blood exclusively from bats.
Grow from 3.3 to 8.5 mm. As is common in insects, the female is larger than the male. Settling in cities, choose attics where bats can hide. It can be identified by the characteristic white hairs located near the head of the insect.
Recently, they began to be found in apartments, where they hide in upholstered furniture, beds, and linen.
3
Triatominae
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Kissing bug. A strange name for an insect, but it bites on the lips and skin around the eyes. He is also called an affectionate killer.
They grow to 3.5 cm in length. The body is slightly elongated, and the head is cone-shaped. The subfamily Triatominae has more than 130 species.
They are found in the tropical forests of Central and South America, living rodent holes. It poses a threat to health, as it is a carrier of dangerous Chagas disease. The so-called sleeping sickness can only be cured at an early stage.
By the way, on our site most-beauty.ru you can meet other no less unusual insects.
4
Chicken
They are found not only in the chicken coop. A parasitic insect can easily move into human habitation. But mainly poultry suffers.
How to distinguish? This species has a slightly flattened elongated body. There are two small antennae on the head. Adult specimens have a characteristic brown color. Young individuals are light, almost transparent.
The skin of chickens is more delicate than that of other domestic animals. That is why parasites prefer to settle in the chicken coop. Usually they are introduced by mice and rats, but can be purchased with a bird. Pose a danger. So are carriers of infections.
Forest bugs
And now about those representatives who are found in forests, kitchen gardens and gardens.
5
The Soldier / Pyrrhocoris apterus
The most harmless of the whole family. You can meet them from early spring to October on the ground or trunks of wild and garden trees.
Body size does not exceed 11 mm in length. Most likely he got his species name because of the color. Itself is black with an unusual red pattern. After hibernation, they gather in large groups for mating.
The female attaches to the male and in this position spend from several hours to one week. After that, the female lays eggs in the soil or grass.
6
Forest green (Scutellaria green)
This cute, but strongly smelling creature is also called garden or grassy. All because of the habitat. It perfectly adapts to the habitat and disguises itself.
They live in the forest, but during fires and other natural disasters they can move to agricultural crops. The sizes do not exceed 12–16 mm, and you can recognize them by the characteristic green color and unpleasant odor.
Shedding occurs four times per season. Because of the smell, they are called stinkers. It is absolutely safe. But gardens can be harmful.
7
Berry Shield / Dolycoris baccarum
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One of the most beautiful bugs in the world. It features an unusual and bright color of its shell. The body is flat, and it grows no more than 12 mm.
There are two antennae on the head, and the whole body is covered with small hairs. The color of the head and body is grayish or reddish-brown. Depending on the habitat changes color. There are original specimens with a purple tint flap.
In central Russia, they can be seen on raspberries. In winter, they hibernate, hiding in the soil or bark of trees. Creep out in April, showing activity until the end of October.
8
Marble / Halyomorpha halys
Author: Yerpo / wikimedia.org
Received its name because of the characteristic coloring of the shield and head. A beautiful but harmful inhabitant of North America and Europe.
He poses a danger to agricultural crops, destroying not only cereals, but also garden crops. The homeland is Southeast Asia, from where the pest has spread to other regions. In 2014, it was discovered in Russia near the city of Sochi.
The body in the form of a pear grows to 17 mm in length. Brown visor with light and dark spots reminiscent of marble.
Water
In reservoirs where there is no fast current, one can meet various types of water bugs. Almost all of them are predators who gladly eat small fish, crustaceans, snails and slugs.
9
Gladysh / Notonecta
A large inhabitant of freshwater bodies from the family Notonectidae. Adults grow up to 1.5 cm in length, considered the largest.
The body consists of three parts - the head, abdomen and chest. Color changes depending on the bottom of the pond. They have many natural enemies, so they have to disguise themselves. There is also a proboscis, which he presses against his abdomen.
Breathes atmospheric air, which makes it easy to stay afloat. He spends most of his life on the surface of the water, sticking his paws to the tension film. This property allows you to quickly move around the surface of water bodies.
10
Water striders / Gerridae
A large family of about 700 species. Funny insects live on the surface of the water, which is why such a name. The species Gerris lacustris is widespread in Russia.
As soon as the first cold weather sets in, the water inhabitants move to land. Hiding under the stumps, the bark of trees, burrowing in the moss to winter. It is supported by four paws on the surface of the water. The front ones act as a kind of motor.
They have excellent eyesight and touch. Perceive any fluctuation in water. Water striders are divided into wingless and winged species. They hunt invertebrates.
11
Bialystoma
According to thebiggest.ru, this is the largest representative of the winged-wing squad, growing up to 17 cm. You can meet such a giant in the reservoirs of South and Southeast Asia. Some species live in Latin America.
The body has an oval, slightly elongated flat shape. Changes the color of the color of the two reservoirs in which he lives. Its shape and body color resembles a fallen leaf. A pair of large mesh eyes settled on his head.
On the forelimbs there are special hooks that allow you to grab and hold the victim. They live under water, and come to the surface to breathe air. Despite the size and awesome appearance, the Bialystomy is not dangerous for humans.
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Summarize
Looking at photographs of original insects, you are convinced that nature sometimes creates wonderful forms of a wide variety of colors. But in homes, their presence is highly undesirable. Disinfection of bugs and their complete destruction is a troublesome business. Better to entrust this business to professionals. In addition, there are a lot of chemicals and folk methods to get rid of uninvited guests.
But, looking at these photos, I don’t feel like hurting these beautiful insects:
On this our article came to an end. The editors of most-beauty.ru are waiting for your comments.