They are pale green (almost yellow) with pale wings.
The nymphs are a darker green, pear- shaped and look a bit like aphids, although they can be distinguished by the reddish tip on their antenna and the absence of tubes projecting from their abdomen.
Adult size: 7 mm
Out and about
They emerge when the weather starts to warm up and are very active in summer. Green mirids are Native to Australia and can be found in all regions but are most common in warmer inland areas.
Reproduction and Life cycle
Eggs are laid singly, usually into leaf tissue with just the tip of the egg protruding slightly.
The female can lay up to 80 eggs in her lifetime.
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
- Keep weeds down, especially during winter
- Spray with pyrethrum
- Spray with neem oil
Green 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.
