Plant Bugs or Leaf Bugs

Family Miridae

Tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Mirids are phytophagous (plant-eating) and are found on vegetation almost everywhere. A few species are predaceous. Many species attack cultivated plants, causing damage in several ways. Mirids are very diverse and common bugs. They are variable in size colour and shape. Some species are brightly marked with red, orange, green or white. Mirids can be recognized by the wing venation, with two small closed cells in the membranous part of the hemielytron. Some species are wingless.