Marin Rose Society

FAST FACTS - MINUTE PIRATE BUGS
by Nanette Londeree, Master Rosarian

SIGNS

Tiny insect, 1/12 to 1/5 inch long, oval with a triangular head, black to purplish with white markings at the base of the front wings giving a band-like appearance across the body when wings are at rest

Pear-shaped and yellowish or reddish brown nymphs with red eyes

SYMPTOMS

None

CAUSE

Minute pirate bug, Orius spp. and Anthocoris spp

OPTIMAL CONDITIONS

Insect predators in many crops including alfalfa, corn, small grains, cotton, soybeans, and tomatoes

Also found on ornamental plants and in landscapes

Feed on insect eggs and small insects such as psyllids, thrips, mites, aphids, whiteflies and small caterpillars

Adults overwinter in protected habitats such as leaf litter

TREATMENT

Prevention:

None – you want to encourage this guy into the garden

Prevent getting bitten by this bug by wearing dark, protective clothes in late summer

Elimination:

None

GOOD GUY / BAD GUY?

This is a very good garden guy – while not very large, they are fierce predators!

Their bite is surprisingly painful and people differ in their response to the bites - some swell up like a mosquito bite, some turn red and for others there is no reaction at all; if you react to their bite, they’re probably a bad guy

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FAST FACTS - MINUTE PIRATE BUGS by Nanette Londeree, Master Rosarian

FAST FACTS - MINUTE PIRATE BUGS
by Nanette Londeree, Master Rosarian