(Lygaeidae) This family was important when it included several thousands of species. It has been recently divided into several distinct families. Now it includes slightly more than 100 genera having about 1,000 species spread all over the world. They are more diverse in tropical areas. Most species suck plant or seed sap by means of a stylet and some species are agricultural pests having great economic impact. Other species are predators of smaller Arthropoda species and they feed on the blood of vertebrates. Some adults look like ants whereas others have bright colours to warn predatory animals about their toxicity.
