Largidae

Definition

A family of true bugs (Hemiptera) comprising approximately fifteen genera and one hundred species, commonly known as bordered plant bugs. Members are characterized by wide, somewhat flattened bodies, absence of ocelli, a four-segmented rostrum, and frequently exhibit contrasting colored margins on the hemelytra. Largids are phytophagous, feeding on plant juices and seeds, and are typically encountered as ground-dwellers or scrambling on vegetation from herbs to canopy.

Etymology

From the type genus Largus (origin obscure) + Latin -idae (family suffix).

Example

Physopelta species (Largidae) are conspicuous red-and-black bordered plant bugs often observed aggregating on seeds of tropical trees.

Synonyms

• bordered plant bugs

Related Terms

• Hemiptera
• Heteroptera
• Pyrrhocoroidea
• hemelytron
• ocellus
• rostrum
• Phytophagy

Usage Notes

The common name 'bordered plant bugs' refers to the frequent presence of contrasting marginal coloration on the forewings, though this trait is not universal across all species. Largidae is placed in the superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea alongside Pyrrhocoridae (red bugs). The family is distinguished from similar lygaeoid or coreoid bugs by the combination of ocelli absent, four-segmented rostrum, and wide body form. Formerly, some authorities treated Largidae as a subfamily of Pyrrhocoridae, but current classification recognizes them as separate families.