Damsel bugs
Nabidae
Beginner
Scientific Names
The most numerous species found in fruit orchards include Nabis alternatus and Nabis americoferus.
Identification
Eggs:
- Deposited in soft plant tissues, rarely seen.
Nymphs:
- Resemble adults,
- Develop through 5 nymphal stages over a period of 16-30 days (depending on temperature).
Adults:
- Long (0.5–1.0 cm), slender insects,
- Usually light greyish-brown in colour, but may be grey, reddish brown or black,
- Dark stripes on the head and pronotum,
- Piercing-sucking mouthparts,
- Elongated heads,
- 4 long segmented antennae,
- Fast runners with long slender back legs and enlarged forelegs for grasping prey.
Often Confused With
- Assassin bugs - Damsel bugs lack the curved beak or proboscis, the longitudinal groove underneath the head, the elongate “neck” seen in assassin bugs.
Interaction with Host
Damsel bugs are abundant in gardens, orchards and field crops. Nymphs and adults of all species are predaceous and search actively for their prey, which consists mainly of other insects and phytophagous mites. Early stage nymphs may also be phytophagous, and although plant feeding may allow them to survive for short periods, no development occurs unless prey is consumed. Damsel bugs are swift, and catch and hold prey with their forelegs, similar to mantids, then rapidly suck the body contents from their prey..
Period of Activity
May through September.
Insects Attacked
Aphids, leafhoppers, mites, moth eggs, sawfly larvae, small caterpillars and tarnished plant bug nymphs.
Monitoring and Management
Nabids occur primarily on weeds, grasses, various crops and shrubs and are sometimes found on the soil surface. Keep an eye out for nabids during regular orchard monitoring.
Advanced
Scientific Names
The most numerous species found in fruit orchards include Nabis alternatus and Nabis americoferus.
Identification
Eggs: Eggs are deposited in soft plant tissues where they are rarely seen.
Nymphs: Resemble adults and develop through 5 nymphal instars over a period of 16-30 days (depending on temperature).
Adults: Damsel bugs (also called nabids), are long (0.5–1.0 cm), slender insects that are usually light greyish-brown in colour, with dark stripes on the head and pronotum. They have piercing-sucking mouthparts, elongated heads, and 4 long segmented antennae. They are fast runners with long slender back legs and enlarged forelegs for grasping prey.
Often Confused With
- Assassin bugs - Damsel bugs lack the curved beak or proboscis, the longitudinal groove underneath the head, the elongate “neck” seen in assassin bugs.
Interaction with Host
Damsel bugs are abundant in gardens, orchards and field crops. Nymphs and adults of all species are predaceous and search actively for their prey, which consists mainly of other insects and phytophagous mites. Early stage nymphs may also be phytophagous, and although plant feeding may allow them to survive for short periods, no development occurs unless prey is consumed. Damsel bugs are swift, and catch and hold prey with their forelegs, similar to mantids, then rapidly suck the body contents from their prey..
Nabids overwinter as adults that become active in mid-to late April and were first observed on the understorey cover in apple orchards in late May. They are most numerous in early to mid-August and are seldom found on the foliage of the trees. There are probably two generations per year.
Period of Activity
May through September.
Insects Attacked
Aphids, leafhoppers, mites, moth eggs, sawfly larvae, small caterpillars and tarnished plant bug nymphs. Although they can survive for about two weeks without food, they will eat each other and other beneficial insects (minute pirate bugs and big-eyed bugs) when no other prey is available. They will also feed on some plants but cause no damage.
Monitoring and Management
Nabids occur primarily on weeds, grasses, various crops and shrubs and are sometimes found on the soil surface. Keep an eye out for nabids during regular orchard monitoring.
