Big-eyed-bugs
Guides
Geocoridae
Big-eyed bugs
Geocoridae is a family of predatory true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) comprising over 290 described species. Members are commonly known as big-eyed bugs due to their prominent, laterally expanded eyes. The family is classified within the superfamily Lygaeoidea and includes five subfamilies: Australocorinae, Bledionotinae, Geocorinae, Henestarinae, and Pamphantinae. Several species, particularly in the genus Geocoris, are recognized as important biological control agents in agricultural systems.
Lygaeoidea
Seed Bugs and Allies
Lygaeoidea is a large superfamily of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) containing approximately 16 families and over 4,600 described species 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 predators used in biological control, 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 subfamilies of Lygaeidae. The systematic position of Piesmatidae (ash-gray leaf bugs) remains somewhat uncertain, having been placed in its own superfamily in some classifications.