Monteverde : Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest

Figure 4.2. Markia hystrix, a lichen-mimicking katydid. Photograph by Stephen Ingram.

flavolineata (Rowell 1983c; cited as Osmilia flavoli-
neata) and Microtylopteryx herbardi (Bracker 1989).
Drymophilacris monteverdensis and D. nebulicola are
ecologically almost identical to the lowland species,
D. bimaculata, so information on the latter (Rowell
1983b) is applicable to the two Monteverde species.
Species of Rachicreagra have been better studied at
lower altitudes (Rowell 1985a,b). Species of Drymo-
philacris and Rachicreagra inhabit light gaps and are
specialized plant feeders, the former on Solanaceae and
Asteraceae, the latter on Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Urtica-
ceae, or Amaranthaceae. Other genera (Homeomastax
[Eumastacidae], Hylopedetes, and Scirtopaon [Acridi-
dae]) in Monteverde feed on ferns (Rowell et al. 1983).
More research is needed on the Orthoptera of cloud
forests. Their large size (compared with most other
insects) makes them good candidates for field inves-
tigations, and their interactions with one another via
songs, with plants, and with vertebrate predators pro-
vide rich possibilities for study.

43. Hemiptera: Heteroptera and
    Homoptera

4.3.1. Introduction

Paul Hanson

The group Hemiptera has often been restricted to the

so-called "true bugs" (Fig. 4.3), a name that elicits

smirks from the uninitiated (the adjective "true" is

used since any insect is called a "bug" by the non-

entomologist). Phylogenetic studies (Sorensen et al.

1995) unite the Heteroptera and Homoptera within the

Hemiptera. All of these insects are united by their

highly modified elongate mouthparts, which function

as a syringe; the food substrate is pierced, saliva is

injected, and liquid food is sucked up. Metamorpho-

sis is incomplete and the nymphal stages have wing

buds rather than fully developed wings.

Heteroptera (true bugs). The front wings of most true

bugs are divided into a thickened basal portion and a

membranous apex. Many also possess stink glands;

the nymphs often display bright or warning colors on

the abdomen (Fig. 4.3). The chemical substances lib-

erated by these glands serve as a defense against preda-

tors. True bugs include predators and plant feeders.

Regardless of diet, saliva is always injected into the

food source before being ingested. Of the 75 families

of Heteroptera worldwide (Schuh and Slater 1995),

about 50 occur in Costa Rica, where they are repre-

sented by at least 2000 species. The largest families

include the Coreidae (leaf-footed bugs), Lygaeidae

(seed bugs), Miridae (plant bugs), Pentatomidae (stink

bugs), and Reduviidae (assassin bugs).

Reduviidae are primarily predators; the other fami-

lies are primarily plant feeders. Most true bugs are

terrestrial, but several families are aquatic or semi-

aquatic. Examples of bugs associated with freshwa-

99 Insects and Spiders