Lygaeoidea

Schilling, 1829

Seed Bugs and Allies

Family Guides

12

Lygaeoidea is a large superfamily of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) containing approximately 16 and over 4,600 described worldwide. Members are commonly known as seed bugs and allies. The superfamily includes economically important groups such as the big-eyed bugs (Geocoridae), which are used in , as well as numerous seed-feeding species. The family-level classification underwent substantial revision in 1997 by Thomas J. Henry, with most families previously treated as of Lygaeidae. The systematic position of Piesmatidae (ash-gray leaf bugs) remains somewhat uncertain, having been placed in its own superfamily in some classifications.

Damaeus by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.Epidermoptidae by (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet. Used under a CC-BY license.Psoroptidae by (c) Oleksii Vasyliuk, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Oleksii Vasyliuk. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lygaeoidea: /ˌlɪɡ.iːˈɔɪ.di.ə/

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Distribution

Worldwide distribution. Documented occurrences include: North America (United States including Florida, Kansas, Wyoming, Nebraska; Mexico including Baja California Sur, Guerrero); Central America; South America (Brazil); Indomalayan region (Borneo, Malay Peninsula, Thailand, Laos, continental Indomalaya); Australasia (Australia including Queensland, New Guinea, Timor, New Caledonia); Malagasy region (Madagascar, Réunion, Mauritius); and Tibet.

Diet

Most feed on seeds or plant sap. Some species are . Specific feeding records include: of Crophius scabrosus observed on diverse plants including juniper (Juniperus), pine (Pinus), and composites (Asteraceae), with common occurrence in crowns of bunchgrasses (Panicum virgatum, Schizachyrium scoparium).

Host Associations

  • Ficus palmeri - microhabitatPulmomerus levatus found under leaf litter
  • Argyrodendron actinophyllum - associated withParasadoletus exsertus collected from this rainforest tree
  • Ficus - plantParacholula picta association
  • Heliocarpus (Tiliaceae) - plantParacholula picta association
  • Juniperus - occurrenceCrophius scabrosus found on juniper
  • Pinus - occurrenceCrophius scabrosus found on pine
  • Asteraceae (Compositae) - potential Crophius scabrosus common; suggested as potential for nymphal development
  • Panicum virgatum - occurrenceCrophius scabrosus common in crowns
  • Schizachyrium scoparium - occurrenceCrophius scabrosus common in crowns
  • Artemisia - potential Suggested as potential for Crophius scabrosus nymphal development

Life Cycle

stages described for some . All immature stages of Paracholula picta from Guerrero, Mexico described and illustrated. Nymphs of Crophius scabrosus remain unknown despite extensive fieldwork; plants supporting nymphal development unconfirmed.

Human Relevance

Some members, particularly big-eyed bugs (Geocoridae), are important used in . Germalus and related are studied for their potential as biocontrol agents.

Similar Taxa

  • AradoideaPiesmatidae (ash-gray leaf bugs) sometimes placed in its own superfamily or alternatively in Aradoidea rather than Lygaeoidea; distinguished by different morphological characteristics and typically associated with different plants
  • CoreoideaBoth are superfamilies within Pentatomomorpha; Coreoidea (leaf-footed bugs and allies) typically have more expanded hind tibiae and different antennal segmentation patterns

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Sources and further reading