Minute pirate bug adult (left) and nymph (right)
Minute pirate bugs are predators of small insects such as aphids and thrips, insect eggs, small caterpillars and other immature insects, and mites. They kill prey by piercing them with their tubular mouthparts, and sucking out the body fluids. They may also be known as ‘flower bugs’ because they feed on nectar as well as insects. Female minute pirate bugs insert their oval shaped eggs into plant tissue, leaving only the tiny egg cap protruding. Hatching nymphs develop through several nymphal stages before becoming winged adults. Adults overwinter in protected places such as leaf litter. Development from egg to adult can be achieved in about three weeks during warm weather and there may be several generations per year. Some species of minute pirate bugs have been developed as commercially available biological control agents in several countries including Australia. They should be handled with care because even though they are very small they have a painful bite.
Size: 5107px × 3398px
Location: Pomonal, Victoria, Australia
Photo credit: © Denis Crawford / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: anthocoridae, australia, beneficial, biological, bug, control, good, hemiptera, horticulture, insect, macro, minute, pirate, predator
