Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...
Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...
Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...
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PREDATORY BUGS Hemiptera: Heteroptera<br />
Predatory shield bugs (Pentatomidae)<br />
Assassin bugs (Reduviidae)<br />
Generalist and transient<br />
BENEFICIAL<br />
Distinguishing characteristics/description<br />
adult<br />
10 mm<br />
20<br />
30 40 50<br />
Spined predatory shield<br />
adult<br />
Assassin<br />
Spined predatory shield bug<br />
Assassin bug<br />
Adult Nymph Eggs<br />
Narrow,<br />
elongated<br />
head<br />
region<br />
Prominent spines<br />
on shoulders<br />
(thorax)<br />
Lifecycle<br />
Incomplete metamorphosis.<br />
There are many different species and although these<br />
differ widely in their lifecycles, most species have<br />
multiple generations per year. Species that may be found<br />
in broadacre crops are assassin bugs, the glossy shield<br />
bug (Cermatulus nassalis) and the spined predatory<br />
shield bug (Oechalia schellenbergii).<br />
Predatory bugs are typically prevalent in spring through<br />
to autumn. Adults usually live for several months. They<br />
lay their eggs in batches or rows on plant material or the<br />
soil surface.<br />
Confused with/similar to<br />
Lack <strong>of</strong> wings<br />
in nymph<br />
Predatory shield bugs can easily be mistaken for pest<br />
shield bugs, such as the brown shield bug. Shield bugs<br />
are larger in size than other pest sucking bugs such as<br />
rutherglen bugs and mirids. The spined predatory shield<br />
bug is easily recognised by the large spines on its thoracic<br />
region. Assassin bugs are similar to damsel bugs.<br />
Eggs have ‘eyelashes’<br />
and laid<br />
in batches<br />
Distribution/habitat<br />
Long antennae and legs.<br />
Large and well developed eyes.<br />
Piercing/sucking<br />
mouthparts (beak)<br />
Predatory shield bugs are common throughout most<br />
<strong>of</strong> Australia and are <strong>of</strong>ten found in the canopy where<br />
there is an abundance <strong>of</strong> prey. Assassin bugs are more<br />
common in tropical crops.<br />
Pests attacked/impact on pests<br />
Adults and older nymphs are predatory, feeding on a<br />
range <strong>of</strong> prey including moth larvae, eggs, aphids, mites<br />
and other insects. Some assasin bugs just attack spiders.<br />
Species vary in the size and type <strong>of</strong> prey they are able to<br />
capture, but all use piercing mouthparts to suck out the<br />
body contents <strong>of</strong> their prey. Some inject a toxin to help<br />
break down the cellular material.<br />
Ute Guides, <strong>Southern</strong> (pp. 142-144)/Western (pp. 117, 118, 120).<br />
SECTION 4 COMMON Pest, Beneficial AND EXOTIC Species<br />
49<br />
<strong>Insects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>Broadacre</strong> <strong>Farming</strong> <strong>Systems</strong> Identification Manual and Education Resource © 2012
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