Thyreocoridae

Pronunciation:  [Thigh·rio·COR·i·dae]

Common Name:  Ebony Bugs; Negro bugs

Description:  Members of this family are small (less than 6 mm) and shiny black.  They feed on grasses, weeds, berries, and flowers.  They can be distinguished from burrowing bugs (Cydnidae) by the lack of strong spines on their tibiae.   They resemble shield-backed bugs (Scutelleridae) but are smaller in size and darker in color.

Spot ID Key Characters:

1. Round or oval in shape; strongly convex dorsally; shiny black in color
2. Five-segmented antennae
3. Rounded scutellum covers the abdomen and wings
4. Ocelli present

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Order:  Hemiptera, suborder Heteroptera