What insect order includes cicadas, leafhoppers, and shield bugs?

The insect order that includes cicadas, leafhoppers, and shield bugs is Hemiptera. Hemipterans are often called “true bugs,” although that common name is sometimes used more narrowly for the suborder Heteroptera.

Many Hemiptera have piercing-sucking mouthparts. Cicadas and leafhoppers generally use them to draw plant fluids, while shield bugs may feed on plants, seeds, or other insects. Aphids, whiteflies, scale insects, planthoppers, and bed bugs are also hemipterans.

A common mix-up is confusing Hemiptera with beetles. Beetles belong to Coleoptera and have hardened forewings, whereas many hemipterans have wings with a distinctive partially thickened, partially membranous structure. The name Hemiptera means “half wing,” referring to this pattern in many true bugs.

Hemiptera also includes species with unusual ecological roles. Ants may protect aphids in exchange for honeydew, and some aquatic hemipterans prey on insects or small animals. The order contains more than 80,000 described species, making it one of the major groups of insects.