A big-eyed bug, Geocoris sp. (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), adult. Photo by Drees.
Common Name: Big-eyed bug
Scientific Name: Geocoris sp.
Order: Hemiptera
Description: Several species are found in Texas, with Geocoris punctipes (Say), a large gray species, and G. uliginosus (Say), a small black species, being common in cotton fields. Species range is size from 1/8 to 1/4 inch long and have broad heads with large, curbed, backward-projecting eyes. Immature stages (nymphs) resemble adults but do not have fully developed wings.
Life Cycle:Adults overwinter and lay eggs on plants. Nymphs hatching from eggs develop through 5 stages before becoming winged adults.
Habitat and Food Source(s), Damage:Nymphs and adults are general predators, feeding on small caterpillars and caterpillar eggs, fleahoppers, lygus bugs, mites, thrips, whiteflies. They will also feed on various seeds and suck plant juices but are not considered to be injurious to plants. They occur in most crops and landscapes.
A big-eyed bug, Geocoris sp. (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), nymph. Photo by W. Sterling and S. Gravena.
Pest Status:Predaceous nymphs and adults are beneficial; medically harmless.
Management: None, this is a beneficial insect.
For additional information, contact your local Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent or search for other state Extension offices.
Literature: Bohmfalk et al. 1982;Kogan and Herzog 1980.