Sternorrhyncha


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

Phylogeny

The phylogeny of the extant Sternorrhyncha, from a 2024 study using ultraconserved genetic elements, is shown in the cladogram:
The evolutionary position of several fossil taxa are unclear. A suggested phylogeny is:

Groups

Well-known groups in the Sternorrhyncha include: