The adult brown mirid is similar in shape and size to the green mirid but has brown colouring on the upper body, shoulders and head.
The nymphs of both species are green, but the brown mirid can be distinguished by red and green stripes on the antennae and two stripes on the hind legs. Brown mirids are not as common as green.
Adult size: 7-9 mm
Out and about
They emerge when the weather starts to warm up, becoming very active in summer. These bugs are spread through eastern Asia, on some Pacific islands, Tahiti and Australia. In Australia it is found in Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Reproduction and Life cycle
Eggs are laid singly, usually into leaf tissue with just the tip of the egg protruding slightly. The cycle from egg to adult can be as quick as 3 weeks in ideal, warm conditions although numbers appear to reduce if it remains hot for a few days or if there is heavy rain or storms. Eggs can remain unhatched over winter and adults can spend winter sheltering in weeds.
To deter
To control
Spray with:
- pyrethrum
- with neem oil
- Keep weeds down especially during winter
Brown mirids feed on a variety of plants favouring legumes, sunflowers, lucerne crops and weeds such as thistle.
They are sap suckers that feed on new growth and release a chemical that destroys cell walls, which weakens the plant and results in poor growth. They also attack flower buds which inhibits flower, fruit and seed formation.
