Pale Damsel Bug Nabis capsiformis Germar (Insecta: Hemiptera: Nabidae)

Abstract

The pale damsel bug, Nabis capsiformis (Germar), one of the most widespread Nabis species, is a generalist predator that can be found in open areas, including coastal habitats (Lattin 1989). It is commonly reported throughout the southeastern United States, in a variety of ecosystems, it is particularly common in field and row crop agroecosystems. All nympal and adult life stages of Nabis capsiformis are excellent predators and can typically eat one lepidopteran egg or aphid per day when small and as many as two dozen eggs or other prey as later instars and adults. They can survive for up to two weeks without food and become cannibalistic if other prey are unavailable. They use their thickened raptorial front legs that are lined with spines to catch and hold prey, then suck out the body contents with their piercing mouthparts. Damsel bugs, including the pale damsel bug, are so named because of the way they hold their front legs up, as though they were lifting a skirt hem to curtsey. At first glance, they appear like a cross between a mantis and an assassin bug. Includes: Introduction - Distribution - Description - Host Plants - Life Cycle - Importance - Selected References. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1210 Also published at: https://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/VEG/pale_damsel_bug.html