Fact Sheet

General Information:Big eyed bugs are a long lived, 3 to 4 months, beneficial insect and are an important predator in cotton, corn, and soybeans. Adults and nymphs feed on small caterpillars, flea hoppers, lygus, mites, thrips, whiteflies and insect eggs. Big-eyed bugs have elongated mouth parts called a beak or rostrum, designed to pierce other insects and suck up their juices. Adults search both soil and plant surfaces for prey.

Description: Adults range in size from 1/8 to 1/4 inch. They have oval bodies, with broad heads and eyes that are quite large. They have short antennae with enlarged ends. Colors of adults are a dull gray, brown to black. Nymphs resemble adults without wings and range in color from gray blue to red and black depending on the species.

Life Cycle: Adults over winter as adults and in the spring lay eggs on plants. The eggs are white to pink in color and oblong in shape. Eggs hatch in 5 to 10 days depending on the temperature. Nymphs are wingless and become adults after 21 to 31 days.