Sternorrhyncha

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How to read a taxobox
Aphids, Whiteflies, Scales, etc
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Sternorrhyncha
Superfamilies

Aleyrodoidea
Aphidoidea
Coccoidea
Psylloidea

The Sternorrhyncha is the suborder of the Hemiptera which contains the aphids, whiteflies, and scale insects, groups which were traditionally included in the order Homoptera. "Sternorrhyncha" refers to the rearward position of the mouthparts relative to the head. Distributed worldwide, all members of this group are plant-feeders, and many are major crop and ornamental pests. Many exhibit modified morphology and/or life cycles, including phenomena such as flightless morphs, parthenogenesis, sexual dimorphism, and even eusociality.

Well-known groups in the Sternorrhyncha include:

  • aphids - (Aphididae and allied families)
  • woolly and gall-making aphids (Eriosomatidae, Pemphigidae)
  • pine and spruce aphids (Adelgidae, Chermidae)
  • phylloxerans (Phylloxeridae, including Vine Phylloxera)
  • whiteflies - (Aleyrodidae)
  • jumping plant lice - (Psyllidae and allied families)
  • Superfamily Coccoidea (scale insects)
    • cottony cushion scales, giant coccids, and ground pearls (Margarodidae)
    • armored scale (Diaspididae)
    • cochineal (Dactylopiidae)
    • lac scales (Kerriidae, Lacciferidae)
    • soft scales (Coccidae)
    • pit scales (Asterolecaniidae)
    • mealybugs (Pseudococcidae)
    • felted scales (Eriococcidae)