Diet

• Adults and nymphs: Primarily plant-feeding, using their piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on roots and underground plant tissues.

• They are associated with grasses and other plants, with feeding taking place largely below the soil surface.

• Their subterranean lifestyle means they are rarely encountered feeding openly on foliage.

• Like other burrowing bugs, they may also be attracted to decaying organic matter and fungi in the soil.

Range

• Pangaeus bilineatus is a burrowing bug (Family Cydnidae) in the Subfamily Cydninae and Tribe Geotomini.

• The species is distributed primarily through Mexico and the southern United States, with records extending into parts of Central America.

• Around Zihua, it would likely be considered occasional, particularly in areas with loose, sandy or otherwise workable soil and abundant grasses or other vegetation. Its subterranean habits make its actual abundance difficult to judge from surface observations.

Habitat

• Pangaeus bilineatus is adapted to life in the soil, particularly in areas with relatively loose substrate.

• It can occur in grasslands, agricultural areas, open woodland, scrub and other vegetated habitats.

• Adults commonly remain beneath the surface during the day and may be encountered under stones, plant debris or within the soil around plant roots.

• Heavy rainfall or soil disturbance can sometimes bring individuals closer to the surface.

Size

• Adults are small to medium-sized burrowing bugs, generally around 7–9 mm long.

• The body is oval, strongly convex and dark brown to black, with the compact appearance typical of Cydnidae.

• The legs are robust and adapted for digging through soil.

• The front tibiae have strong teeth that function as digging structures.