Overview
The chinch bugs were considered until recently to be a subfamily of the Lygaeidae. We have followed the revision by Henry (1997) and recognise them at family rank.
Unlike most of the other Lygeaoidea, the Blissidae feed upon grasses (Poaceae) and other monocots such as sedges (Cyperaceae). Little information is available on the biology of the Australian fauna.
Distribution
A single subfamily, Blissinae, is recorded from all Australian states and territories and contains 9 genera and 15 species.