Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...

Lifecycle
Incomplete metamorphosis.
Adults have a slender pale brown body with a narrow
head, large protruding eyes and long antennae. Damsel
bugs move quickly when disturbed. Juveniles are similar
but smaller in size.
Damsel bugs can have multiple generations per year
with each generation lasting around 4-5 weeks in warm
conditions.
Females insert their eggs into leaves or plant stems.
Distribution/habitat
Damsel bugs are common throughout most of Australia
and can generally be found in the canopy of crop plants
with an abundance of prey. They are prevalent in spring
to autumn and adults can live for a few weeks.
Pests attacked/impact on pests
Adults and nymphs are predatory and feed on a range
of prey including caterpillars, aphids, leafhoppers, mirids
and moth eggs. In particular, damsel bugs are considered
to be effective predators of diamondback moth.
Ute Guides, Southern (p. 141)/Western (p.119).
Confused with/similar to
Damsel bugs can sometimes be mistaken for other bugs
such as mirids but they differ by having a long snout
(proboscis) that is fine, curved and carried under the
body when not feeding. They also appear similar to
assassin bugs, although these have a concave abdomen
(when viewed from above) and are less widely distributed
than damsel bugs.
The mouthparts fit into a groove under the body.
Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems Identification Manual and Education Resource © 2012
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SECTION 4 COMMON Pest, Beneficial and exotic Species