noun
- Plural of heteropteran; insects of the suborder Heteroptera, commonly known as true bugs, characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts and incomplete metamorphosis.
Usage: scientific/technical term; plural form
Examples
- Heteropterans include familiar insects like stink bugs and assassin bugs.
- Many heteropterans are agricultural pests that damage crops by feeding on plant sap.
- Entomologists study heteropterans to understand their feeding behavior and ecology.
- Some heteropterans are aquatic, such as water striders and backswimmers.
- The diversity of heteropterans makes them an important group in insect classification.