TRUE BUGS - HEMIPTERA
One of the many interesting things I have learned in engaging in insect photography is what a “bug” actually is. We tend to use the term quite loosely, but the word actually refers to a very specific type of insect. “True bugs” are in the order Hemiptera and are insects, but not all insects are true bugs. What is unique about true bugs is that they have a piercing and sucking mouth part (proboscis), which they use to consume mostly plant sap. They are not able to chew. True bugs also have two sets of wings where the front ones are hardened and the back two are soft. Their antennae are also segmented into usually five parts.
The true bugs in this gallery were all photographed alive in their natural habitats.
Click on an image to enlarge.
