COMMON NAME
Big Eyed Bug
Order

Suborder

Family

Genus

Species

Alias
Hemiptera

Heteroptera

Deocoridae

Geocoris




Description

The defining feature of this bug is their very large eyes on the sides of their head. They are similar to the minute pirate bug, but broader and almost twice the size. Also similar is the more slender mirid bug. They can be a dark colour or have a black head and shoulders, with light silvery-brown wings.

Adult size: 4 mm

Out and about

They tend to be most active in the morning and the evening. Like other predatory bugs they will be around when their prey is. The adults overwinter then lay eggs in the spring. There are at least 140 species found in many parts of the world. In Australia they are more prevalent in tropical and some warmer inland areas and do not appear to be present in Western Australia or Tasmania.

Reproduction and Life cycle

Their eggs are slightly oval shaped, whitish-grey with two red spots at the tip, laid singly and horizontally on leaves or stems near their prey. They hatch in spring and the nymphs go through several stages before reaching adulthood. Depending on conditions and the species, some bugs will see through the winter as adults or eggs.

To deter

To control

Plants to repel

Plants to attract

Caraway / White cosmos / Fennel / Alfalfa / Spearmint / Golden rod / Lemon marigold Carrot / Oleander

Predators

Why they are Beneficial
Adults and nymphs feed on soft bodied insects including small caterpillars, insect eggs, aphids and mites. The adults also feed on nectar and honeydew. They have the piercing and sucking mouth parts with which they stab and then suck out the body juices of their prey.
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