The Stridulatory Mechanisms in Terrestrial Species of Hemiptera Heteroptera

SUMMARY From re‐examination of known or suspected stridulatory organs in terrestrial Heteroptera and the discovery of new ones the following conclusions are reached: The so‐called “stridulatory” organs of Saldidae are male grasping organs, those of Nabidae are also non‐stridulating structures. Stridulation in Pentatomomorpha is of intra‐specific type and has arisen at least sixteen times independantly. Stridulation in Cimicomorpha is of extra‐specific type, has arisen once and is confined to Reduvioidea. The stridulating organs of Pentatomidae (excluding Mecideinae) and some Coreidae are unknown but sounds have been heard from them. The commonest strigil‐and‐plectrum organ is a ventral strigil and leg plectrum; a wing strigil and dorsal plectrum has evolved more than once. Single examples are known of other types of strigil‐and‐plectrum organ. The systematic distribution of stridulatory organs suggests that Cyminae auctt. is polyphyletic. The “strigil” supports placement of Aepophilidae within Saldidae. The distribution of intra‐specific communication in Hemiptera suggests that the earliest bugs (? lower Permian) were able to “perceive” sounds.