The Lygaeidae are a family in the Hemiptera (true bugs), with more than 110 genera in four subfamilies.

[5][6] The bizarre and mysterious beetle-like Psamminae were formerly often placed in the Piesmatidae, but this is almost certainly incorrect.

[7] Lygaeidae are oval or elongate in body shape and have four-segmented antennae.

[8] Lygaeidae can be distinguished from Miridae (plant bugs) by the presence of ocelli, or simple eyes.

[9] An incomplete list of Lygaeidae genera is subdivided as:[10][11] The Pachygronthinae Stål, 1865 (type genus Pachygrontha Germar, 1840) may be placed here[10] or elevated to the family Pachygronthidae.