Damsel Bug – Nabis subcoleoptratus

Damsel Bug

The nabids are small bugs that are relatively slender, with the front femora slightly enlarged. Adults and nymphs are predators of many different types of insects, including aphids, moth eggs, and small caterpillars, including corn earworm, European corn borer, imported cabbageworm and some armyworms. Adults are swift and aggressive, rapidly sucking the body contents from their prey. Damsel bugs themselves are attacked by a number of natural enemies, including tachinid flies, wasps and fungi. The most common damsel bugs are pale yellow to brown with well developed wings – genus Nabis is common throughout the United States.

Damsel Bug

Live damsel bugs photographed at West Chicago Prairie, and McKee Marsh, DuPage County, Illinois.