How do they look?

True bugs vary widely ranging from tiny ones measuring 1 mm to relatively large ones reaching up to 40 mm. They can have different body shapes, but commonly, bugs are flat or cylindrical. All true bugs have a piercing-sucking mouthpart, which is kept folded beneath the body when at rest.

Where do they live?

True bugs have adapted to various living conditions - you can find them on foliage, on trees, beneath tree bark, in water, and even in human dwellings.

What do they eat?

True bugs are both herbivores and predators; herbivorous bugs feed on plant sap, while predatory ones extract fluids from other insects and their larvae. Bed bugs are an example of true bugs that feed on human blood.

Interesting and important facts

Most true bugs live for about a year. They possess scent glands that release a protective secretion, and sometimes their distinct odor can be detected while enjoying a garden with tasty fruits. Notably, the shield bug is recognizable for its oval shape and large shield-like pronotum. These bugs can have herbivorous, predatory, or aquatic lifestyles, depending on the species.

Information sources: https://www.latvijasdaba.lv, Wikipedia, Kreslina L. ‘Insects in Latvia’

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