By Renee Wood
Yarra Valley residents awoke to find swarms of pesky little bug on their doorsteps, window sills and all through the house in the past week.
Star Mail contacted Agriculture Victoria to determine who the uninvited house guest was.
It’s now been confirmed the bug was a Rutherglen bug, which is a native species that’s a pest to numerous crops across Australia.
An Agriculture Victoria spokesperson said reports of the pest are growing.
“Agriculture Victoria has received an increase in reports of Rutherglen bugs recently across the north of the state,” they said.
“It’s likely there has been an increase in populations this year due to environmental conditions.”
The native pest can reach high population sizes, which was evident at many local homes, and outbreaks have been observed in the past.
They favour crops of canola, lucerne, wheat, sunflowers, safflowers, linseed and sorghum but once their tucker starts to dwindle, they will migrate in large numbers to the next food source.
This is likely what is happening in the Yarra Valley and why they are being seen in residential areas and houses.
The small, fast moving bug can build large populations during warmer months and can travel great distances, which is why it may be moving into or out of the Yarra Valley.
They are expected to naturally dissipate and move on in search of their next food source.
Reports of swarms on social media were high following the hot weather on Saturday 14 January however, numbers have since declined at known households.
It’s been reported several days of continuous rain usually stops an epidemic.
