Pyrrhocoroidea

Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843

Red and Bordered Plant Bugs, Red Cotton Bugs

Family Guides

Largidae(bordered plant bugs)
Pyrrhocoridae(Red Bugs)

Pyrrhocoroidea is a superfamily of true bugs comprising approximately 520 in two : Pyrrhocoridae (red bugs, ~300 species) and Largidae (bordered plant bugs, ~220 species). Members are primarily herbivorous, with many species exhibiting bright red or orange coloration. The superfamily is distinguished by specific bacterial associations, particularly Burkholderia in Largidae, which are acquired environmentally each rather than transmitted maternally. Pyrrhocoroidea represents the earliest-diverging superfamily of Burkholderia-associated Hemiptera.

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 Pyrrhocoroidea: /pɪrəˌkɔˈrɔɪdiə/

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

Identification

Pyrrhocoroidea can be distinguished from related superfamilies in Pentatomomorpha by the combination of: (1) absence of in , (2) on abdominal sterna arranged in transverse rows, and (3) specific wing venation patterns. Within the superfamily, Largidae and Pyrrhocoridae are separable by female genitalia: the seventh abdominal sternum of females is medially split in Largidae but entire in Pyrrhocoridae. Members often display bright aposematic coloration (red, orange, or black patterns), though this varies among .

Images

Distribution

Global distribution with approximately 663 in 69 worldwide. In India alone, Largidae comprises 18 species in 5 genera and Pyrrhocoridae comprises 49 species in 13 genera. Documented from: Asia (India, Myanmar, China, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Nepal, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Singapore, Philippines, Bhutan), Southeast Asian islands (Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Malayan Archipelago, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea), Australia, and the Americas (Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Cuba).

Diet

Primarily herbivorous. Largidae feed mainly on seeds and plant sap of forbs, shrubs, and trees. Specific feeding specializations exist: Physopelta species have mouthparts adapted for seed-sucking, while Macrocheraia grandis has maxillary structures more suited for sucking sap from phloem or parenchymal .

Behavior

Largidae reacquire specific symbiotic Burkholderia bacteria from the environment every , a rare transmission strategy among insects. This environmental acquisition has persisted since the Cretaceous period.

Human Relevance

Some are agricultural pests, particularly Dysdercus species (cotton stainers) which damage cotton crops. The 'Red Cotton Bugs' reflects this economic association.

Similar Taxa

CoreoideaAlso in Pentatomomorpha but distinguished by presence of in and different arrangement
LygaeoideaRelated superfamily in Pentatomomorpha with different bacterial associations and typically more subdued coloration

More Details

Bacterial Symbiosis

Largidae harbor specific plant-beneficial-environmental clade Burkholderia in tubules, distinct from Burkholderia in other Hemiptera. This represents an ancient and persistent symbiotic strategy.

Morphological Specialization

Despite being described as ',' Largidae show mouthpart morphological disparity indicating feeding specialization to specific food sources rather than true feeding.