MINUTE PIRATE BUGS OR Flower Bugs
Forficulidae
Scientific Names
The most common species found are the minute pirate bug Orius insidiosus (Say) and the insidious flower bug Orius tristicolor (White)
Identification
Orius spp.
Eggs:
- 0.55 mm long
- Clear
- Deposited inside plant material and rarely seen
Nymphs:
- 0.2-0.5 mm
- Yellow-orange to brown
- Teardrop-shaped and wingless
- Fast-moving and often take refuge in developing leaves and flowers
- Have piercing-sucking mouthparts used to subdue and feed on their prey
Adults:
- Orius insidiosus adults are 3 mm long, oval with black and white wing patches
- Fast-moving and often take refuge in developing leaves and flowers
- Have piercing-sucking mouthparts used to subdue and feed on their prey
- Anthocoris spp. adults are 3 mm long
Often Confused With
N/AInteractin With Host
Orius spp. and Anthocoris spp. are common predators in numerous agricultural crops. Both adults and nymphs suck body fluids from their prey. When prey populations are low, they will feed on pollen and plant juices. Both immature and adult Orius spp. consume 30 or more mites/day.
Period of Activity
Spring until fall.
Insects Attacked
Adults and nymphs feed on aphids, thrips, insect and mite eggs, and small caterpillars.
Monitoring and Management
O. insidiosus appears in vineyards in mid April and remains active through to October. Anthocoris spp. adults are first active in late April to early May and most abundant in late July and early August. They occur most frequently on the under surfaces of leaves, searching along the mid-ribs for prey.