Male and female minute pirate bugs of the same species are similar in appearance. The insects are quite small (seldom over 0.5 cm in length) with oval to triangular-shaped bodies that are somewhat flattened. The head, body, and legs are black in color with silver-white markings on their backs. Nymphs of minute pirate bugs look similar to the adults, but are wingless.

Adult minute pirate bugs emerge during the summer months, and are found in fields, woodlands, gardens and landscapes throughout the United States.

Minute pirate bugs feed on aphid nymphs and eggs, mites, caterpillars and other small insects and eggs.

Images

To save the Web-optimized images shown below to your hard drive: