Crusader Bug
Click to enlarge image
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Mictis
- Species
- profana
- Subfamily
- Coreinae
- Family
- Coreidae
- Super Family
- Coreoidea
- Infraorder
- Pentatomomorpha
- Order
- Hemiptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 2.5 cm
Introduction
The Crusader Bug is a member of the Squash bug family (Coreidae).
Identification
Crusader Bugs are typically quite large bugs with long oval bodies that can produce a strong smell as a deterrent to predators. They are easy to recognise by their yellow cross mark on their backs.
Crusader Bug Nymph
Image: Bruce Anstee© Bruce Anstee
Habitat
Crusader Bugs live in urban areas, agricultural areas, coastal heath, forests and woodlands.
Distribution
Crusader Bugs are found throughout Australia, as well as Indonesia and the Indo-Pacific.
Feeding and diet
Crusader bugs feed on a wide range of plants, including wattles, sennas and eucalypts and orchard plants (such as citrus) and garden plants (such as roses). Crusader Bugs prefer new shoots and pierce plants with their sucking mouthparts.
Economic impacts
Crusader bugs are considered to be minor pests of citrus and wattles. On a good note, they are considered to provide biological control of the noxious weed Mimosa pigra.
