Chemical-defense-sequestration

Guides

• Lygaeidae

  seed bugs, milkweed bugs, ground bugs

  Lygaeidae is a family of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) commonly known as seed bugs, milkweed bugs, or ground bugs. The family currently comprises approximately 60 genera in six subfamilies, though it was formerly much larger before numerous subfamilies were elevated to independent family status. Members are distributed worldwide and exhibit diverse feeding habits, with many species feeding on seeds, some on sap or seed pods, others being omnivores, and a few being insectivores. Several genera, including Lygaeus and Oncopeltus, are well-known for their association with milkweeds and their bright aposematic coloration.

  Hemipteratrue-bugsseed-bugsmilkweed-bugsagricultural-pestsaposematic-colorationincomplete-metamorphosisworldwide-distributionseed-predationchemical-defense-sequestration