Ladybug or Beetle?

Scarecrow · July 18, 2010

Just found this section for garden pest's.

I have read that ladybugs are good for your garden. I have ladybugs or beetles on my pickling cucumbers and they appear to be eating the leaves. I haven't sprayed anything yet as I didn't want to run off what few bees that are visiting.

This damage is seen only on a few leaves so far.

Some other kind of bug but doesn't appear to be eating.

I have seving dust but haven't used it on the cukes yet.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Scarecrow

svalli · July 18, 2010

The yellow one is Squash beetle Epilachna borealis, a cucurbit leaves eating cousin of the benefitial ladybugs.

**Mischka** · July 18, 2010

You can knock out the beetles with a one-two punch by spraying with insecticidal soap right before sunrise (to avoid foliage burn) and liberally dusting with diatomaceous earth around nightfall. Within a couple of days you should see results.

Both are safer to use around bees, especially if you avoid the blossoms.

Scarecrow · July 18, 2010

Thanks Mischka!
I think I will go with the insecticidal soap treatment for which I found a recipe on the web. I'll look for the diatomaceous earth at the store.

Scarecrow

tjg911 · July 18, 2010

the 2nd is a leaf hopper

http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpa...LeafHopper.jpg
http://www.shawnolson.net/media/1_Sh...er_01_2280.jpg
http://www.piptermite.com/layout/leafhoppers.jpg

Leafhoppers have piercing-sucking mouthparts, enabling them to feed on plant sap. A leafhoppers' diet commonly consists of sap from a wide and diverse range of plants, but some are more host-specific. Leafhoppers mainly are herbivores but some are known to eat smaller insects such as aphids on occasion. A few species are known to be mud-puddling, but as it seems females rarely engage in such behavior. Leafhoppers can transmit plant pathogens such as viruses, phytoplasmas [1] and bacteria. Cicadellidae species that are significant agricultural pests include the Beet Leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus), Potato Leafhopper (Empoasca fabae), Two-spotted Leafhopper (Sophonia rufofascia), Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis), The Common Brown Leafhopper (Orosius orientalis) and White Apple Leafhopper (Typhlocyba pomaria).
In some cases the plant pathogens distributed by leafhoppers are also pathogens of the insect themselves and can replicate within the leafhoppers' salivary glands. Leafhoppers are also susceptible to various insect pathogens, including Dicistroviridae viruses, bacteria and fungi; numerous parasitoids attack the eggs and the adults provide food for small insectivores.

stormymater · July 18, 2010

Leafhopper looks/sounds like an escapee from a 70's grateful Dead concert.

ubergoober · July 19, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormymater

Leafhopper looks/sounds like an escapee from a 70's grateful Dead concert.

LOL Too funny! It is a very techicolour bug though, isn't it?

July 18, 2010	#2
svalli Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vaasa, Finland, latitude N 63° Posts: 838	The yellow one is Squash beetle Epilachna borealis, a cucurbit leaves eating cousin of the benefitial ladybugs. __________________ "I only want to live in peace, plant potatoes and dream." - Moomin-troll by Tove Jansson

July 18, 2010	#3
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	You can knock out the beetles with a one-two punch by spraying with insecticidal soap right before sunrise (to avoid foliage burn) and liberally dusting with diatomaceous earth around nightfall. Within a couple of days you should see results. Both are safer to use around bees, especially if you avoid the blossoms. __________________ Mischka One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

July 18, 2010	#5
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	the 2nd is a leaf hopper http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpa...LeafHopper.jpg http://www.shawnolson.net/media/1_Sh...er_01_2280.jpg http://www.piptermite.com/layout/leafhoppers.jpg Leafhoppers have piercing-sucking mouthparts, enabling them to feed on plant sap. A leafhoppers' diet commonly consists of sap from a wide and diverse range of plants, but some are more host-specific. Leafhoppers mainly are herbivores but some are known to eat smaller insects such as aphids on occasion. A few species are known to be mud-puddling, but as it seems females rarely engage in such behavior. Leafhoppers can transmit plant pathogens such as viruses, phytoplasmas [1] and bacteria. Cicadellidae species that are significant agricultural pests include the Beet Leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus), Potato Leafhopper (Empoasca fabae), Two-spotted Leafhopper (Sophonia rufofascia), Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis), The Common Brown Leafhopper (Orosius orientalis) and White Apple Leafhopper (Typhlocyba pomaria). In some cases the plant pathogens distributed by leafhoppers are also pathogens of the insect themselves and can replicate within the leafhoppers' salivary glands. Leafhoppers are also susceptible to various insect pathogens, including Dicistroviridae viruses, bacteria and fungi; numerous parasitoids attack the eggs and the adults provide food for small insectivores. __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

July 18, 2010	#6
stormymater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleasure Island, NC 8a Posts: 1,162	Leafhopper looks/sounds like an escapee from a 70's grateful Dead concert.