"Ibacus peronii " is nocturnal and feeds on algae and small crustaceans.
In common with other slipper lobsters, " Ibacus peronii " has a broad, flattened body and a large carapace.
All the species are edible, and some, such as the Moreton Bay bug and the Balmain bug ( " Ibacus peronii " ) are of commercial importance.
When an Australian recipe calls for " bugs, " don't reach for the ants; what's wanted instead are flattish crustaceans, found only off Australia, called either Balmain bugs ( Ibacus peronii ) or Moreton Bay bugs ( Thenus orientalis ).