Big-eyed Bugs – Lygaeidae

Written by plant-admin on October 27, 2021.

Big-eyed Bugs

Genus: Geocoris

Common Name: Big-eyed Bugs.

Appearance: Big-eyed bugs are 3-6 mm long insects generally have black, grey, or brown in color and large bulging eyes projecting backward. They have four prominent segmented antennae and wide wings covering the entire abdomen. Nymphs resemble adults very much but just lack wings.

Host Plants or Food: Aphids, Flea Beetles, Small caterpillars, Whiteflies, Thrips, Mites, Leafhoppers, eggs, and larvae of other insects.

Territory: Throughout eastern North America

Mode of Damage: They prey on different plant pests, so they are considered Beneficial Garden Insect

Habits and Life History:

Big-eyed bugs are mostly seen in gardens, field crops, and landscapes.

Female lays eggs singly on leave and stems of the plant. Eggs are almost 1mm, white and oblong, with a thin projection on one end.

Eggs hatch into nymphs that develop through five larger instars before becoming an adult.

Nymphs resemble their adults both in color and shape but are without wings. As they develop through stages, wings start appearing on the abdomen.

The last instar develops into a mature big-eyed bug having full wings and large characteristic eyes.