Sternorrhyncha
Order of true bugs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sternorrhyncha[1][2][3] suborder of the Hemiptera contains the aphids, whiteflies, and scale insects, groups which were traditionally included in the now-obsolete order "Homoptera". The name "Sternorrhyncha" refers to the rearward position of the mouthparts relative to the head.
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| Sternorrhyncha Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
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| An aphid | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Sternorrhyncha |
| Superfamilies | |
Distributed worldwide, all members of this group are plant-feeders, many considered pests feeding on major crops and ornamental plants.
Many exhibit modified morphology and/or life cycles, including phenomena such as flightless morphs, parthenogenesis, sexual dimorphism, and eusociality.
Phylogeny
The phylogeny of the extant Sternorrhyncha, from a 2024 study using ultraconserved genetic elements, is shown in the cladogram:[4]
| Sternorrhyncha |
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The evolutionary position of several fossil taxa are unclear. A suggested phylogeny is:[5][6]
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Groups
Well-known groups in the Sternorrhyncha include:
- aphids – (Aphididae)
- woolly and gall-making aphids (Eriosomatinae)
- pine and spruce aphids (Adelgidae)
- phylloxerans (Phylloxeridae, including the vine phylloxera)
- whiteflies – (Aleyrodidae)
- jumping plant lice (Psyllidae and allied families)
- Superfamily Coccoidea (scale insects)
- cottony cushion scales, giant coccids, and ground pearls (Margarodidae)
- armoured scales (Diaspididae)
- cochineal insects (Dactylopiidae)
- lac scales (Kerriidae, Lacciferidae, Tachardinidae)
- soft scales (Coccidae)
- pit scales (Asterolecaniidae)
- mealybugs (Pseudococcidae)
- felted scales (Eriococcidae)
