The Auchenorrhyncha, formerly known under the name Homoptera, are the most familiar of the bugs, with cicadas being the most well known insects in the group. The Auchenorryncha, along with the Sternorrhyncha, comprise the archaic suborder Homoptera (now divided based on the dissimilarities of aphids and cicadas). Auchenorrhyncha contains the aforementioned cicadas as well as lesser known "bugs", like lanternflies, planthoppers and treehoppers. However, the debate rages on as to whether or not the Auchenorryncha are paraphyletic, with the Coleorrhyncha (moss bugs) and Heteroptera derived from within it. Anyway, when all researchers can agree on the phylogenesis of these damned insects, we'll change names again. For now, because of the distinct outward appearances of the insects under question, we'll just keep things divided as they are. Auchenorrhynchans can be found almost everywhere there are plants. They use their downward-pointing rostrum to suck plant juices, their exclusive diet.

The true bugs have a rostrum which can be pointed in many directions, allowing them greater range of food sources. This is unfortunate for humans since many Heteropterans have chosen to feed exclusively on the vital fluids of animals, including Homo sapiens. In fact, bedbugs (Cimicidae) have taken human blood as their preferred source of food. Many other Hemipterans feed on plant juices, with some species becoming pests to agriculturists.