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Family Lygaeidae - Seed Bugs, Milkweed Bugs, Chinch Bugs

Bugs on Milkweed plant seedpod 
 
This family can be distinguished from the Miridae and Coreidae by their forewings which have 4-5 veins and mostly ocelli absent. The front section of their forewings is slightly harden and the back section membranous. Their hind wings are always membranous. They are usually brown to red in colour. Adults are from 4 to 20mm long, with oval shape and flattened body. Their antennae are four segmented. 
 
Most species feed on plant seeds. Some are predaceous. They sometimes present in great numbers.
 

 
Large Milkweed Bug
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Spilostethus hospes,  subfamily Lygaeinae, body length 15mm
The Large Milkweed Bugs are red in colour, with black pattern on wings. This is the warning colour patterns to the predators. Their antennae and legs are all in black colour. They can be found feeding on Milkweed plant seedpods. Details please see the Large Milkweed Bugs page.
 
 
Small Milkweed Bug
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Spilostethus sp., subfamily Lygaeinae, body length 12mm
We found two red bugs on the Milkweed plant. The Large Milkweed bugs, with black patterns on orange colour, larger in size. And this Small Milkweed Bugs, with no pattern on wings and thorax, a bit smaller in size. More information and pictures can be found here.
 
 
Red and Black Seed Bug
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Scopiastes bicolor, subfamily Lygaeinae, body length 10mm
This small bug runs fast when disturbed. It is black with orange-red background colour. This bug can be found easily on Wild Tobacco Solanum mauritianum. Please click here for more pictures and information.
 

Reference:
1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, pp 499.
2. LYGAEIDAE - Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, 2002. 

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Last updated: March 31, 2008.