PEST

NAME
Bronze Orange Bug
Musgraveia sulciventris

ORDER
Hemiptera

FAMILY
Tessaratomidae

Description of the Pest
The adult stink bug is up to 25mm long, brown with a metallic sheen becoming almost black with age. Initially the nymphs are transparent and greenish turning pink-orange with black spots on the developing wings as they mature. The nymphs appear in winter after hatching from eggs that were laid in late summer under the leaves ('tissue paper` stage). They are flat, green and generally they are unnoticed apart from a strong smell. The foul smell is secreted from both nymphs and adults and this secretion may damage the leaf surface, on contact. Both adults and nymphs have piecing and sucking mouthparts.


Adult Adult close up

Life Cycle
These insects have a hemimetabolouslife cycle, i.e. the nymphsresemble the adults.
One generation per year. This insect overwinters in the paper tissue stage (second stage nymph)
Hot weather reduces the numbers

Distribution of the Pest
Native animal to tropical & sub tropical climates of Australia. Coastal Queensland & New South Wales. Urban areas, commercial orchards, forests

Period of Activity
The warmer months are preferred, especially in warm temperate to tropical regions. It dislikes hot dry conditions preferring a humid environment.

Susceptible Plants
Rutaceae Citrus family e.g. Rough lemon, Native lime

Damage CausedTheir feeding can cause stem dieback, as well as fruit & flower drop
Spotted leaves due to their caustic fluids

Control

Cultural control
Includes picking off by hand where practical or by shaking the plant and placing them in a bucket of soapy water. Use gloves and goggles to protect eyes when near these insects as the insect can squirt a foul-smelling secretion onto you, which may damage your eyes.
A soapy water spray may be effective if applied on the first and second nymph stages of this insect.

Biological control
Includes birds. Assassin Bug Pristhesancus pupuensisand a Wasp egg parasite Anastatus sppwhich have limited effect.

An Assassin Bug Nymph

Chemical control
Contact or systemic insecticide with white oil if over wintering nymphs where missed

Note
It is your responsibility by law to read & follow the directions on the label of any pesticide