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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Western Boxelder Bug

On · Category: Box Elder Bugs · Add Comment

Subject: mystery bug
Location: Southern California
June 28, 2017 8:10 am
Hi. Please identify this bug for me. I think it is an actual bug (Hemiptera). Thanks.
Signature: lanny@herbwalks.com

Western Boxelder Bug

Dear Lanny,
This is a Western Boxelder Bug and they are known to form large aggregations when conditions are favorable.

Thanks, Daniel. That was fast! I saw a pic of a boxelder bug on your site and thought it looked similar but we don’t have boxelders growing in this area. Does it feed or host on another Southern California plant?
Lanny Kaufer

Hi Lanny,
According to BugGuide they will feed on many species of maple as well as other trees:  “hosts: Acer grandifolium (Bigleaf Maple), A. negundo (Boxelder), A. saccharinum (Silver Maple), Koelreuteria paniculata (Goldenrain Tree), and Sapindus saponaria (Western Soapberry)  Flowers and young seeds are preferred, so female trees often support larger populations; may also feed on foliage, on sap seeping from wounds on branches/trunks, and on fallen seeds. They will sometimes feed on trees of the Rose Family (Malus, Pyrus, Prunus, etc.) and cause minor damage to commercial fruit (rarely). They are recorded to feed on plants as diverse as Grass, Alfalfa, and Potatoes. It is even common to see them gathered and sucking fluids from other substances such as discarded human food, smashed insects, etc.”

There are Bigleaf Maples in the creek where this one was seen so that would explain its presence.
Thanks again!
Lanny

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Leaf Footed Bug

On · Category: Leaf Footed Bugs · Add Comment

Subject: Found These on Yucca
Location: Garland, Texas
June 26, 2017 6:19 pm
We found these bugs on our Yucca that recently has been looking worse and worse. It looks like a stink bug but not certain.
Signature: Shawn

Leaf Footed Bug

Dear Shawn,
This is a Leaf Footed Bug in the genus Leptoglossus.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Wheel Bug Nymph eats Japanese Beetle

On · Category: Assassin Bugs, Scarab Beetles Tagged With: , · Add Comment

Subject: FANTASTIC Wheel bug EATING Japanese Beetle
Location: Lignum virginia
June 26, 2017 6:52 pm
Captured this guy on my peach tree today snacking on a Japanese Beetle! Wanted to see if you could add it to your album! Thanks and love your site!!!
JUNE 26th summer in Virginia on a 25yr old peach tree.
Signature: Thank you

Wheel Bug Nymph eats Japanese Beetle

We are thrilled to add your image of a Wheel Bug nymph eating an invasive, exotic Japanese Beetle to our Food Chain tag.  We have other images in our archive of Wheel Bugs feeding upon Japanese Beetles.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Robber Fly eats Insidious Flower Bug

On · Category: Minute Pirate Bugs, Robber Flies Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Wasp?
Location: Southwestern Ontario, Canada
June 24, 2017 9:46 am
I’ve photographed a few of these small (1 cm) wasps(?) with a blue patch between the eyes. I’m uploading a shot of one eating an Orius insidiosus (I think).
Signature: Jim Elve

Robber Fly eats Insidious Flower Bug

Dear Jim,
Your image is gorgeous and quite detailed.  This is not a Wasp.  It is a Robber Fly (see BugGuide) in the family Asilidae, and we generally only attempt to identify large Robber Flies to the species level as so many smaller species look quite similar.  We agree that the prey is an Insidious Flower Bug based on BugGuide where it states:  “important predator of phytophagous mites and mite eggs, insect eggs, soft-bodied insects”.

Thank you, Daniel. Your prompt reply is very much appreciated.
FYI, I have quite a few more bug photos on my website if you’re interested. Www.jimelve.ca I have probably misidentified many. I’ll be correcting a couple of shots of the robber fly. Thanks, again!
Best regards,
Jim Elve

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Spined Soldier Bug Nymph

On · Category: Stink Bugs and Shield Bugs · Add Comment

Subject: What’s this beetle
Location: Oak Park, Il
June 24, 2017 8:23 am
Been doing extensive research and can’t identify this beetle. I’m in Oak Park, Illinois and hoping it’s not destructive to the garden
Signature: Magnew

Spined Soldier Bug Nymph

Dear Magnew,
This is not a Beetle, which might explain the difficulty you have had identifying this immature Stink Bug.  We believe it is a predatory Spined Soldier Bug nymph, Podisus maculiventris, based on this BugGuide image.  According to BugGuide it is:  “available commercially as biocontrol agent against a wide array of agriculturally significant pests” and it feeds on a “Wide variety of insects; known to eat Mexican bean beetles, European corn borers, diamondback moths, corn earworms, beet armyworms, fall armyworms, cabbage loopers, imported cabbageworms, Colorado potato beetles, velvetbean caterpillars and flea beetles.”

Thanks so much for solving the mystery AND your quick response! I’m happy to hear it’s not destructive to my plants.
Mindy Agnew

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Leaf Footed Bug Hatchlings

On · Category: Leaf Footed Bugs · Add Comment

Subject: Identify insect
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA
June 6, 2017 10:58 am
Hi, I have a cluster of reddish ant-like insects on the side of my house. Will you please identify them?
Signature: Leslie

Leaf Footed Bug Hatchlings

Dear Leslie,
These are immature True Bugs and we are pretty certain they are hatchling Leaf Footed Bugs in the family Coreidae.  We believe they are in the genus Leptoglossus.  Here is a BugGuide image that looks quite similar.

 

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination