Geocoridae

Dahlbom, 1851

Big-eyed bugs

Genus Guides

Geocoris(big-eyed bugs)
Isthmocoris(big-eyed bugs)

Geocoridae is a of predatory true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) comprising over 290 described . Members are commonly known as big-eyed bugs due to their prominent, laterally expanded . The family is classified within the superfamily Lygaeoidea and includes five : Australocorinae, Bledionotinae, Geocorinae, Henestarinae, and Pamphantinae. Several species, particularly in the Geocoris, are recognized as important agents in agricultural systems.

Geocoris punctipes by no rights reserved, uploaded by Ken Kneidel. Used under a CC0 license.

Geocoris lividipennis by (c) Luke Padon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Luke Padon. Used under a CC-BY license.

Geocoris howardi by (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Geocoridae: //dʒiːoʊˈkɔːrɪdiː//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Distribution

Worldwide distribution with recorded across multiple biogeographic regions including the Malagasy region, Indomalayan region, Australasia, New Guinea, Mexico, and the Palearctic. Specific regional records include: Madagascar and Réunion (Germalus species); Borneo, Malay Peninsula, Timor, Thailand, Laos (Umbrageocoris species); New Guinea (Germalus, Umbrageocoris, and Nannogermalus species); New Caledonia (Nannogermalus species); and continental North America (multiple Geocoris species).

Diet

Predatory on small arthropods and their . Geocoris punctipes has been observed feeding on unidentified Homopterans. in the have been documented as of aphids, caterpillar eggs, and other soft-bodied insects in agricultural systems.

Behavior

Predatory documented in multiple . Geocoris punctipes and other species are active in crop systems. Some species have been studied for development and on artificial diets under laboratory conditions.

Ecological Role

Important in agricultural and natural . Natural enemies of cotton pests in Texas include big-eyed bugs (Geocoris ) among other predatory insects. Contribute to of aphids, caterpillar , and other pest arthropods. Studies have demonstrated that Bt crops producing Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab, and Cry1F proteins have no negative effects on Geocoris punctipes, indicating compatibility with transgenic pest management systems.

Human Relevance

Valued as agents in programs, particularly in cotton production systems. Conservation of big-eyed bug is encouraged to reduce reliance on and delay resistance development in pest populations. Beat bucket sampling methods have been developed specifically to monitor abundance including big-eyed bugs in crop fields.