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Sternorrhyncha
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Sternorrhyncha

insect suborder
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Quick Summary

The Sternorrhyncha is a suborder of insects within the order Homoptera. These insects are characterized by their plant-feeding habits, using specialized mouthparts to suck sap from a variety of plants.1

Key features of Sternorrhyncha include:
* Mouthparts: Their beak typically arises between or behind the fore coxae.
* Antennae: Usually long and filamentous, lacking a well-differentiated terminal seta.
* Diversity: This suborder encompasses a wide range of insects, such as aphids (plant lice), phylloxerans, coccids (scales), whiteflies, and mealybugs.2

Many Sternorrhyncha species can cause damage to plants and act as vectors for plant diseases, though some also provide beneficial products. Reproduction is primarily bisexual, but asexual reproduction is common in aphids.13

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
4 Britannica Sources
  1. homopteran
  2. homopteran - Annotated classification
  3. homopteran - Evolution and paleontology
  4. homopteran - Reproduction and growth

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