Minute pirate bugs
(Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

There are many species of minute pirate bugs. The following description provides general characteristics for this group.

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

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Adult minute pirate bug, Orius sp.
(Photographer: James Castner, University
of Florida)

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Nymph of Orius insidiosus, a minute pirate bug.
(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

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Adult (top left) and nymph (top right) of Montandoniola
moraguesi
, a minute pirate bug, with thrips prey.
(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

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