Family Rhyparochromidae - Seed Bugs
- Rhyparochromidae is newly (1997) separated from Lygaeidae.
- Seeds Bugs in Rhyparochromidae are small is size and dull in colour. They are either brown or mottled with dark and pale patterns. The head is usually large and triangular with ocelli. Antennae are four segmented. They usually have strong front legs. Most of them feed on ripe seeds that dropped on ground. Fightlessness is common in this family.
- We found two species in this family both are ant-mimicking.
- Ant-mimicking Seed Bug 1
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- Daerlac nigricans, subfamily Rhyparochrominae, tribe Udeocorini, body length 10mm
- Yes, this is a true bug but not an ant. Its body colour and behaviour is mimicking the black ant. It was found wandering on a large gum tree trunk, where a lot of black ants is running around. It did not have the waist, which is the characteristic of all ants, but its body colour pattern mimics just exactly this. Please check this page for more information.
- Ant-mimicking Seed Bug 2
- Daerlac sp. body length 10mm
- The nymphs were found on grass seeds.
- Black and White Seed Bug
- Dieuches maculicollis, body length 6mm
- We found this small bugs on the table in our backyard. It was Feb 2010. For some reasons, this bug lose its two left legs. This bug feeds on vein near the root. Please check this page for more information.
- Brown Seed Bug
- ? Remaudierana sp., body length 15mm
- Pictures taken on early summer Nov 2007 near Bulimba Creek in Sunnybank.
- Reference:
- 1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, pp 501.
- 2. Checklist for Daerlac nigricans Distant, 1918 - Australian Faunal Directory, Australian Biological Resources Study.
- 3. Family RHYPAROCHROMIDAE - Australian Faunal Directory, Australian Biological Resources Study, 2002.
- 1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, pp 501.
This page contains pictures and information about Seed Bugs in subfamily Rhyparochromidae that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
