Re-examination of the “pronotal gland,” which is possibly synapomorphic for Saicinae and part of Emesinae (Reduviidae), showed that this structure comprises a pronotal depression and an interior process, but lacks glandular units. Observation of Reduviidae other than Emesinae and Saicinae, and non-reduviid Cimicomorpha demonstrated the presence of a homologous structure in a wide range of taxa. Dissections of prothoracic muscles in Panstrongylus herreri (Triatominae, Reduviidae) established the relationship of three thoracic muscles with the interior process, which represents an apophysis, and not a gland. Based on those observations, the hypothesis of a closer relationship of only part of Emesinae with Saicinae due to the presence of a “pronotal gland” seems unjustified.