Description

False Chinch Bug – Nysius sp.

Pliocene

Rita Blanca Formation

Oldham County, TX USA.

Nysius is a genus of false chinch bugs in the family Lygaeidae.  7mm insect on 64mm slab.

This occurrence in the Pliocene of Texas appears to be one of oldest known for Nysius, the false chinch bug (also known as a seed bug).  The Family Lygaeidae dates back at least to the Late Eocene of Colorado (Florissant).