Insidious Flower Bugs and Minute Pirate Bugs

These bugs are closely related. They are very tiny approximately 1/8 inch long. Design varies a little between the two bugs, but they both have white spots on the wing area. Females lay tiny white or clear eggs in the leaves and stems of plants. The eggs hatch into tiny, teardrop-shaped nymphs that are yellowish-orange or brown, with a small orange rectangle on their backs. The nymphs grow to become mature adults skipping a larval stage.

They do not fly. Wind is their favorite mode of transportation.

The adults and nymphs of both species are good bugs. They eat mites, small insects, and eggs of spider mites, aphids, thrips, chinchs, and small caterpillars. They rarely touch plants themselves.

Are they bad or good?? Oh, these are very very nice bugs. Everyone should have some of these if there is a mite or aphid infestation. They are especially effective in controlling corn earworms and borers by feeding on the eggs. Pirate bugs control citrus pests as well as all of the above pests. Add a few ladybugs and you got some good bad bug feasting going on in the garden.

Attract these bugs by planting annuals cosmos, sunflowers, yarrow, clover, vetch, and anything loaded with pollen. You can make a good bug home by leaving some weeds growing tall in the yard. But beware cause bad bugs also like to hide there.

You can also buy these bugs suppliers. Release some early in the season. After the local population has emerged, you will no longer need to purchase any bugs. You'll have your very own population of predators.

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