There are approximately 40,000 species of true bugs in the world, and over 3,800 in the United States. Defining the Order. The True Bugs are insects that have two pairs of wings, the front or outer pair of each divided into a leathery basal part and a membranous apical part. These wing covers are held over the back and often partly folded.
Bugs undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with their young looking much like adults, but without wings.
Effects on mankind. Plants generally show little effect of true bug feeding, unless the bugs are very abundant. A variety of insects, including caterpillars and cockroaches, often fall prey to assassin bugs. A few true bugs are pests or disease carriers. The notorious bed bug is generally uncommon in current households, but their close relatives often live in the nests of bats and birds.