Hemiptera: The Diverse 'True Bugs' Shaping Ecosystems and Human Interactions

Hemiptera, commonly known as "true bugs," represent a vast order of insects distinguished by their specialized mouthparts adapted for piercing and sucking. With over 80,000 species worldwide, they thrive in aquatic and terrestrial habitats, from freshwater ponds to arid deserts. Their ecological roles range from vital pollinators and decomposers to notorious agricultural pests, making them both integral to ecosystems and significant to human affairs.