COMMON NAME

Glossy shield bug

Order

Suborder

Family

Genus

Species

Alias

Hemiptera

Cermatulus nasalis

Brown soldier bug

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Description

The adult is shield-shaped and shiny brown with small darker and yellow markings on the back. They are similar to the Spined shield bug (also predatory), but are darker and don’t have the ‘spines’ on their shoulders. The eggs are black with small ‘spines’ around the edge and laid in a group of 50 or more. The newly-hatched nymphs are bright red, becoming browner (with small patches of yellow) with each instar.

Adult size: 12 mm

Out and about

Most numerous from spring through summer when their prey are abundant, but seen all year round. This bug is native to Australia, New Zealand and also found in Timor. In Australia it is found mainly in the southern half of the continent and to a lesser degree up the east coast.

Reproduction and Life cycle

The eggs are laid in a raft formation in a group of 50 or more. The life cycle from egg to adult is about 3 weeks. They overwinter as adults, emerging again in spring.