Crusader Bug

Scientific name: Mictis profana
  • Updated
    07/08/24
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Mictis profana Click to enlarge image
Crusader Bug, Mictis profana Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Mictis
    Species
    profana
    Subfamily
    Coreinae
    Family
    Coreidae
    Super Family
    Coreoidea
    Infraorder
    Pentatomomorpha
    Order
    Hemiptera
    Class
    Insecta
    Subphylum
    Uniramia
    Phylum
    Arthopoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    2.5 cm

Introduction

The Crusader Bug is a member of the Squash bug family (Coreidae).

Identification

Crusader Bugs are typically quite large bugs with long oval bodies that can produce a strong smell as a deterrent to predators. They are easy to recognise by their yellow cross mark on their backs.

Crusader Bug

Crusader Bug Nymph

Image: Elaine Tan
© Elaine Tan

Habitat

Crusader Bugs live in urban areas, agricultural areas, coastal heath, forests and woodlands.

Distribution

Crusader Bugs are found throughout Australia, as well as Indonesia and the Indo-Pacific.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Feeding and diet

Crusader bugs feed on a wide range of plants, including wattles, sennas and eucalypts and orchard plants (such as citrus) and garden plants (such as roses). Crusader Bugs prefer new shoots and pierce plants with their sucking mouthparts.

Economic impacts

Crusader bugs are considered to be minor pests of citrus and wattles. On a good note, they are considered to provide biological control of the noxious weed Mimosa pigra.