1. Of or relating to insects of the order Heteroptera, characterized by having forewings that are partly hardened and partly membranous.
Usage: entomology; technical

Examples

• Heteropterous insects include bedbugs, assassin bugs, and water striders.
• The heteropterous order comprises more than 40,000 known species worldwide.
• Entomologists classify true bugs as heteropterous members of the insect world.
• The heteropterous wing structure allows these insects to be both strong fliers and efficient swimmers in some cases.