All members of the order Hemiptera (true bugs) have which one of the following characteristics?

• A. Chewing mouthparts
• B. Sucking mouthparts
• C. Utilize plants as hosts
• D. Lack wings

Answer: (B)

Piercing-sucking mouthparts are the defining feature of true bugs. Hemiptera have a beak-like rostrum with needle-like stylets that let them pierce plant tissues to suck sap or feed on prey in predatory members. This feeding adaptation is present across the order, making sucking mouthparts the consistent trait. Other insects often have chewing mouthparts, so that doesn’t fit as a universal feature. While many hemipterans feed on plants, some do not, so relying on plants as hosts isn’t universal. Wings also vary—some species have wings, others are wingless—so lack of wings isn’t a universal characteristic. Therefore, the best answer is the sucking mouthparts.