Musgraveia sulciventris Click to enlarge image
Bronze Orange Bug nymph, Musgraveia sulciventris Image: Bruce Hulbert
© Bruce Hulbert

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Musgraveia
    Species
    sulciventris
    Subfamily
    Oncomerinae
    Family
    Tessaratomidae
    Super Family
    Pentatomoidea
    Suborder
    Heteroptera
    Order
    Hemiptera
    Class
    Insecta
    Subphylum
    Uniramia
    Phylum
    Arthopoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    2.5 cm

Introduction

The Bronze Orange Bug is a member of the giant shield bug family.

Habitat

Bronze Orange Bugs live in urban areas, commercial orchards, and forests. It lives on plants belonging to the citrus family (Rutaceae) and is commonly found in gardens, particularly near the coast.

Distribution

Bronze Orange Bugs are found in coastal Queensland and New South Wales.


Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Seasonality

In spring and summer Bronze Orange Bugs feed on the plant stem at young shoots, fruit and flowers.

Feeding and diet

Bronze Orange Bugs suck the juices from the young shoots, fruit and flowers.

Economic impacts

Bronze Orange Bugs are minor pests in commercial citrus orchards in eastern Australia.

Danger to humans

The Bronze Orange Bug is known for its ability to produce unpleasant chemicals when disturbed. This bug should be handled carefully as it can squirt a foul smelling fluid that will burn human skin and cause great discomfort if it gets in your eyes.