Seed Bugs

Family Lygaeidae

Small milkweed bug (Lygaeus kalmii). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Most lygaeids are phytophagous (plant-eating) and feed on seeds and sap of host plants. Some species are predaceous and feed on other insects. Some lygaeids are pests. Seed bugs are very variable in size, shape and colour. They can be recognized by the venation in the front wing, with four or five simple veins in the membrane of the hemielytron. In some species the front femur is enlarged and appears raptorial.