Assassin bugs (Family Reduviidae)

Adults are 10–30mm long and have:

• distinct, elongated heads with raised eyes
• long curved proboscises
• abdomens with a slight waist
• long, slender back legs
• enlarged front legs to grab prey.

Nymphs look similar to adults but don't have wings.

Eggs are:

• barrel-shaped
• laid upright in clusters or rows on leaves or stems.

• Brown bean bug
• Damsel bug

Most common in tree crops. Also found in broadleaf crops such as cotton, pulses, canola and sunflower.

Feeds on many different insects, but prefers soft-bodied prey such as caterpillars and small bugs like green mirids.

Stabs its prey with stylet-like mouthparts and injects it with an enzyme that dissolves the inner organs. The liquid matter left is sucked out, leaving behind an empty shell.

Nymphs will eat up to 160 small to medium-size helicoverpa larvae in 9–12 weeks.

• Adults can lay up to 300 eggs in rafts (bundles) of 30–60.
• Eggs hatch within 2 weeks.
• Wingless nymphs pass through 5 growth stages before reaching adulthood.
• Adults may live for 6–10 months.

Research indicates that assassin bug nymphs have higher tolerance to some commonly used products than many other beneficials. Compatible insecticide options include NPV, spinosad, indoxacarb and pyriproxyfen.