A-Z Index
Statewide
zzusis
WSU Home
WSU Extension
Hortsense
Hortsense Home
|
Hortsense fact sheets
| Natural Enemies & Pollinators
| Predatory Bugs
| Damsel bugs
Predatory Bugs
Ambush bugs
Assassin bug
Big-eyed bugs
Damsel bugs
Minute pirate bugs
Mirids
Stink bugs
print version
|
pdf version
|
email url
Caption: Adult damsel bug (Nabis sp.) (Nabidae)
Photo by: D.G. James
Predatory Bugs : Damsel bugs
(revision date: 10/4/2018)
Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.
Biology
Damsel bugs are mostly yellowish, gray or dull brown, slender insects up to ½ inch long with an elongated head and long antennae. The front legs are enlarged for grasping prey. Nymphs look like small adults but are wingless. Adult damsel bugs overwinter in ground cover, debris, and other protected sites. They emerge from hibernation in April or May and begin laying eggs soon after. Numerous overlapping generations occur during the season. Both adults and nymphs feed on many soft-bodied insects and mites including aphids, leafhoppers, small caterpillars, thrips, and spider mites.
Prey or Pest Targeted
Mites, aphids, leafhoppers, thrips, caterpillars, mealybugs, beetles, scale insects, insect eggs
Attracting and Keeping Natural Enemies & Pollinators in Your Yard
Avoid regular use of synthetic, broad-spectrum pesticides. Infrequent use of certain narrow-spectrum pesticides is more compatible with some beneficials but generally the less chemical inputs there are, the greater and more diverse the beneficial insect community will be. Extensive lawns are also not conducive to attracting and retaining a diversity of beneficial insects, mites and spiders. Minimize lawn areas and maximize shrub and bush plantings. Many beneficials reside naturally in riparian and other ‘natural’ areas near to many back yards. Natural dispersion from these refuges ensures that some beneficials will visit back yards but they will not stay unless food, host and shelter resources are available. Native plants have closer affinities with native insects and therefore provide most of these resources. A garden with a good diversity of local native flora in and around back yards, will improve the abundance and diversity of local, beneficial arthropods. Native flora also provides natural overwintering sites for many beneficial insects and it is useful to leave at least a small area of native vegetation undisturbed during fall and winter.
Some kinds of beneficial insects (e.g. lady beetles, lacewings, predatory mites) are available for purchase from commercial suppliers. However, benefits from introducing these beneficials are usually limited and short-lived. Upon release, commercially obtained lady beetles and lacewings often disperse and may rapidly leave your backyard despite the presence of prey and suitable nectar resources. Generally, it is more effective and sustainable to create a garden habitat that will be colonized by beneficials naturally.
Images
+ Show larger images
Caption: Adult damsel bug (Nabis sp.) (Nabidae)
Photo by: D.G. James