The large and diverse insect family Miridae is the largest family of true bugs belonging to the suborder Heteroptera, with over 10,000 known species, new ones constantly being described. The family contains plant bugs, leaf bugs, and grass bugs. They are small, usually oval-shaped or elongate body length less than 12 mm in length.
Trilaccus sp. on Persicaria sp
This small bug (about 3mm) was seen in good numbers along the edge of the creek in thick growths of Persicaria spp, mostly strigosa.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Trilaccus sp. side few, fat abdomen
These small mirid bugs can easily be collected by sweeping a net through the Persicaria plants near the water's edge just upstream from Walton Bridge in The Gap. This specimen was about 4mm and had a fatter abdomen than the one above.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Trilaccus sp. from above
Photo: Robert Whyte