BURROWER BUG

any insect of the approximately 600 species of the family Cydnidae (order Heteroptera). These insects are 7 mm (0.3 inch) long or less. Their oval bodies are brown or black, and there are spines on the tibia (part of the upper leg). These insects burrow underground around clumps of grass, in sandy places, or beneath ground litter. Sometimes the subfamily Thyreocorinae is elevated to the family level (Thyreocoridae). Its members, slightly smaller than those of the burrower-bug subfamily Cydninae, are commonly called negro bugs. They are found on vegetation, flowers, and fruits, especially raspberries. Negro bugs are usually shiny black in colour, but some are tinged with green or blue; they emit a disagreeable odour. Thyreocoris pulicarius, a celery pest, is 3 mm long and has white stripes on each side of its body.