Currently viewing the category: "Seed Bugs"
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Large Milkweed Bug and Oleander Aphids on Milkweed

On · Category: Aphids, Scale Insects, Leafhoppers, and Tree Hoppers, Seed Bugs Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Please identify this bug
Location: Irvine, CA
August 22, 2017 1:33 pm
This bug is hanging out on my milkweed plant. Please help me identify it so I can get rid of it.
Thank you!
Signature: Marta Rosener

Large Milkweed Bug and Oleander Aphids

Dear Marta,
The large insect in your image is a Large Milkweed Bug, and though they suck juices from plants, they feed mainly on the seeds and seed pods which will reduce the number of viable seeds produced by the plant, but it will not harm the plant.  The tiny, yellow Oleander Aphids are another story and they are injurious to the young shoots of your milkweed plants, but it also appears that the Large Milkweed Bug might be feeding on the Aphids.  According to BugGuide:  “In the course of feeding these bugs accumulate toxins from the milkweed, which can potentially sicken any predators foolish enough to ignore the bright colors which warn of their toxicity.”

Related posts:

Elyria Canyon Work Party: Weeding in the Milkweed Meadow BUG OF THE MONTH OCTOBER 2009: Large Milkweed Bugs Large Milkweed Bug Nymph Large Milkweed Bug
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Unidentified Immature Seed Bugs infest Lake Elsinore

On · Category: Seed Bugs · Add Comment

Subject: what’s this bug-we have millions all over!
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA
August 13, 2017 8:32 am
Morning, was looking at your site and see alot about the red shoulder bugs, just want to make sure that is what we are dealing with. 2 days ago we had an infestation of millions of these bugs marching through our yard, on walls, fences, and all over the house! Have washed down the house but they just go right back on the walls, I have also gone through a fair amount of bug spray, but that is costly and may be harmful to my pets and family. I will definitely try the soap trick, because now they are moving into the house a few at a time, but do want to know if you think it is the red shoulder bugs I am battling, or we had found milk weed bugs/beetles as a possiblity, too, but nothing about the hoarding numbers that we have. Thank you, Doreen
Signature: Doreen Blake

Immature Seed Bugs

Dear Doreen,
These are immature Seed Bugs, and nymphs can be very difficult to correctly identify.  They look exactly like this unidentified submission from our archives that might be immature Whitecrossed Seed Bugs.  A different species of Seed Bug, Melacoryphus lateralis, is discussed in this US News article on infestations in Lone Pine.  We are sorry, but the best we can do at this time is a family identification of Lygaeidae.

Related posts:

Aggregation of Milkweed Bug Nymphs Whitecrossed Seed Bug Seed Bug Possibly Dirt Colored Seed Bugs in Utah
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Mediterranean Seed Bug

On · Category: Seed Bugs Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Bug ID
Location: Southeast WA
August 6, 2017 5:35 pm
Having hundreds of these on my patio, walls, windows, etc. over the last couple weeks. Can you ID? I’m in eastern dry part of WA, temps have been near 100 during the last 2 weeks.
Signature: Gerry

Mediterranean Seed Bug

Dear Gerry,
This is a Mediterranean Seed Bug, Xanthochilus saturnius, an introduced species that has naturalized along the west coast states in North America.  According to the Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook:  ” There is very little known about these bugs, possibly because they are not major economic pests. They do cause anxiety among homeowners, and costly eradication expenses.”  The PNIM Handbook also states:  “Even though they do no damage to house, humans, or pets, these seed bugs become a huge annoyance and costly to exterminate when they migrate into households.”

Related posts:

Mediterranean Seed Bug Non-Native Dirt Colored Seed Bug: Rhyparochromus vulgaris Mediterranean Seed Bugs we believe Invasive Mediterranean Seed Bug
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Long-Necked Seed Bug

On · Category: Seed Bugs · Add Comment

Subject: Baby flying bug
Location: Clarksburg, WV
July 19, 2017 1:20 am
I found this bug flying up on my ceiling and would like to know what this is.
Signature: Heather

Long-Necked Seed Bug

Dear Heather,
Based on this BugGuide image, we are confident this is a Long-Necked Seed Bug, Myodocha serripes.  According to BugGuide, it feeds on:  “Seeds of strawberry and St. John’s wort. Sometimes a pest of strawberries.”

Related posts:

Bee Assassin and Whitecrossed Seed Bug Small Milkweed Bug Invasive Mediterranean Seed Bug Small Milkweed Bug
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Possibly Dirt Colored Seed Bug

On · Category: Seed Bugs · Add Comment

Subject: What type of insect is this?
Location: Southern California
July 3, 2017 10:53 am
Dear Bugman,
We are at the beginning of summer, and we’ve experienced strong heat in my region this past week. This comes after decent winter rainfall. I live in southern california near the San Bernardino mountains. These small insects have been staring my backyard in large numbers, I first thought they were mosquitoes, but after taking a few close up shots I’m having second thought. Can you help us identify this bug?
Signature: Ricardo

Possibly Dirt Colored Seed Bug

Dear Ricardo,
This might be a Dirt Colored Seed Bug in the family Rhyparochromidae which is pictured on BugGuide.  There are several invasive, exotic species currently causing problems in western North America, but we do not believe this is either the Mediterranean Seed Bug or the Elm Seed Bug. 

Related posts:

True Bug from Angola Probably Immature False Chinch Bugs from Arizona Long Necked Seed Bug Mutilated Large Milkweed Bug
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Possibly Elm Seed Bug infestation in Oregon

On · Category: Seed Bugs · 1 Comment

Subject: What are these guys?
Location: Bend Oregon USA
July 2, 2017 4:15 pm
A big hatch yesterday in 85 degree weather. Came out of side of wood storage shed. Bend, Oregon
White moth pic isn’t related, just for fun. Always love to see their intricate wing art
LOVE your FB page! Thanks!
Signature: Always Curious

Possibly Elm Seed Bug Infestation

Dear Always Curious,
These are definitely True Bugs and they appear to be immature nymphs, which sometimes makes exact identification difficult.  If you are able to send an image of a winged adult, that might help.  Our first impression is that this might be an infestation of Elm Seed Bugs, an invasive, introduced species that has spread in Washington, Idaho and Utah as well as Oregon according to BugGuide.  Hermiston Herald does include an image of a nymph that looks very similar to what you have submitted.  We would not rule out that it might be an infestation of another invasive species, the Mediterranean Seed Bug.

Possibly Elm Seed Bug Infestation.

Oh m’gosh Thanks so much for the reply! I bet they are elm seed bugs as there are many elms around and many are diseased.
My gratitude!
Michaele

Related posts:

Mating Small Milkweed Bugs Mediterranean Seed Bug in Washington Dirt Colored Seed Bug Nymph may be California False Chinch Bug Whitecrossed Seed Bug
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination