Occasionally, in central and east Texas, high numbers of "bugs" are encountered crawling "all over" the landscape. These bugs are about 1/2 inch (14-17 mm) long, steel blue in color, and have reddish-yellowish markings (Fig. 1). These are called "largus bugs" because they belong to the insect family, Largidae (Hemiptera/Heteroptera).

Largus succinctus (L.), like other true bugs, has sucking mouth parts. Being general feeders, they suck juices from a variety of plants such as oak, wax-myrtle and other woodland foliage and sometimes from weeds. Generally, they cause little damage to the plants upon which they feed. However, in the fall they leave their host plants and seek cracks and crevices in which to spend the winter. They also mate and disperse. Large numbers of these bugs in the landscape can cause some concern.

Management:

If the bugs are around the landscape, some type of control or suppression may be desired. However, weigh this decision carefully because:

1) Their activities in the landscape are harmless although their presence may be a nuisance.

2) Migrating behavior of Largid bugs is a seasonal phenomena which has a duration of just a few weeks in late summer or fall.

3) No pesticide is specifically registered for the control of Largid bugs.

There are some products containing ingredients such as pyrethrins, pyrethrin derivatives (allethrin, tetramethrin), pyrethroids (permethrin and others), diazinon and chlorpyrifos (Dursban®) registered to control a wide variety of turf and premise pests including chinch bugs, boxelder bugs, cockroaches, ants and others. These products, when applied as directed for these pests may also Icill Largid bugs contacted or crawling on treated surfaces.

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied.

Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin.

1993

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Last modified: March 18, 1997 by Edgar Cross