Bronze Orange Bug
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© Bruce Hulbert
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Musgraveia
- Species
- sulciventris
- Subfamily
- Oncomerinae
- Family
- Tessaratomidae
- Super Family
- Pentatomoidea
- Suborder
- Heteroptera
- Order
- Hemiptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 2.5 cm
Introduction
The Bronze Orange Bug is a member of the giant shield bug family.
Habitat
Bronze Orange Bugs live in urban areas, commercial orchards, and forests. It lives on plants belonging to the citrus family (Rutaceae) and is commonly found in gardens, particularly near the coast.
Distribution
Bronze Orange Bugs are found in coastal Queensland and New South Wales.
Seasonality
In spring and summer Bronze Orange Bugs feed on the plant stem at young shoots, fruit and flowers.
Feeding and diet
Bronze Orange Bugs suck the juices from the young shoots, fruit and flowers.
Economic impacts
Bronze Orange Bugs are minor pests in commercial citrus orchards in eastern Australia.
Danger to humans
The Bronze Orange Bug is known for its ability to produce unpleasant chemicals when disturbed. This bug should be handled carefully as it can squirt a foul smelling fluid that will burn human skin and cause great discomfort if it gets in your eyes.
