Coreidae

Definition

A large family of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) characterized by predominantly herbivorous, sap-sucking feeding habits and often bearing expanded, leaf-like hind tibiae or femora. Coreids typically feed on vascular plant fluids using piercing-sucking mouthparts, with many species exhibiting host plant specificity. The family includes economically significant agricultural pests and is distinguished from related heteropteran families by genitalic and antennal characters.

Etymology

From Coreus (type genus, from Greek kóris, "bug") + Latin family suffix -idae

Example

Squash bugs (Anasa tristis) and leaf-footed bugs (Leptoglossus spp.) are familiar North American coreids that damage cucurbits and fruits, respectively.

Synonyms

• Leaf-footed bugs
• squash bugs
• tip-wilters

Related Terms

• Hemiptera
• Heteroptera
• Pentatomidae
• Lygaeidae
• sap-sucking
• hemelytron
• rostrum
• true bugs

Usage Notes

Common names "leaf-footed bugs" and "squash bugs" are often applied to conspicuous coreid subgroups but do not encompass the entire family. Distinguished from stink bugs (Pentatomidae) by more elongate body form and lack of a large triangular scutellum. Some tropical coreids (e.g., Meropachyinae) lack the expanded hind legs characteristic of Coreinae.