Big-eyed bug adults and nymphs (immatures) are oval and commonly black, brownish, gray, or reddish, with a wide head, prominent antennae, and as their name implies, big bulging eyes. Adults range from about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. They walk with a distinctive “waggle” and emit an unpleasant odor when handled.
Found mostly on low-growing plants, some of their favored foods are flea beetles, insect eggs, small caterpillars, and all stages of aphids, mites, and whiteflies. They’ll also feed harmlessly on pollen, seeds, and plant juices and are not plant pests. Both adults and nymphs are predatory but can survive on pollen and honeydew when prey is scarce.