Friend or Foe?

tnkrer · July 11, 2014

When I encounter insects on the plants, before I get rid of them, I want to know if they are beneficial or not. Matching what I see with photos found by google is not always successful. Also I have no way of building that knowledgebase. I hope that this post serves as that knowledgebase. So I propose that we make this a sticky thread. This would be a great knowledge base for new gardeners like me. I don't know if the forum software allows it, but if possible, we can keep maintaining the first post to update the information (real life photos from TVille members, names of insects, pests or predators etc)

So here are a few insects I noticed on my tomato today. I think they are mites.

Should be killed right?

And I am seeing lady bug and lady bug larvae on that tomato. We know its a beneficial bug and eats aphids aplenty.

photo of lady bug larvae

tnkrer · July 11, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnkrer

So here are a few insects I noticed on my tomato today. I think they are mites.

Should be killed right?

After some more research, it seems to me that these won't be mites. Mites are very small, where as these are about 1 mm. They are brown, hard back. They seem to have a way to stick to the leaf, so when picking them, you can feel they are trying to hold on to the leaf. There are smaller ones on the underside and these bigger ones on the top side of the leaf.

This gardenweb post seems to describe a similar insect/bug. However, I didn't see any conclusive post on that thread. Should I try neem oil?

Kazfam · July 11, 2014

#1 son says it is a type of aphid and to blast it with water.

And yes, that is a ladybug larva...always good to see those visiting the garden.

Worth1 · July 11, 2014

I'll bite.
Assassin bug good.

Wheel bug good.

ginger2778 · August 31, 2014

There are many. This is a university field guide.
https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/444/444-356/444-356_pdf.pdf

Nattybo! · November 29, 2014

the beige bug in the first photo is a mummified aphid. Inside is a parasitic wasp larvae, which is a good bug. Leave them on the plant. After a few days you will see a hole on the top side which means the wasp has emerged.

solid7 · December 5, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nattybo!

the beige bug in the first photo is a mummified aphid. Inside is a parasitic wasp larvae, which is a good bug. Leave them on the plant. After a few days you will see a hole on the top side which means the wasp has emerged.

I don't agree with you on this one.

The legs are too long, and the OP seems to be indicating that they are still alive when he tries to remove them. There should also be more of them, in the hatched out condition. (please confirm, OP)

Although, it would certainly be helpful to have something in the photo for scale.

Mojave · February 22, 2015

I gotta agree with solid7 on this one. Looks like a pretty healthy aphid to me, color isn't an indicator (I've seen red, green, and beige colonies at the same time on the same plant). Mummified ones usually look pretty ill and their legs go quickly.

Nattybo! · February 24, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by solid7

I don't agree with you on this one.

The legs are too long, and the OP seems to be indicating that they are still alive when he tries to remove them. There should also be more of them, in the hatched out condition. (please confirm, OP)

Although, it would certainly be helpful to have something in the photo for scale.

It is a mummified aphid. No, the legs are not too long. This mummified aphid is not moving b/c it is too crispy. No there should not be more of them. The parasitic wasp female lays one in a aphid colony and then moves to another aphid colony to lay another egg.

Believe me, I know a parasitized aphid when I see one.

b54red · July 18, 2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by ginger2778

There are many. This is a university field guide.
https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/444/444-356/444-356_pdf.pdf

It is depressing the number of those I have seen over the years in my garden.

Bill

Nematode · July 25, 2019

Egg masses on pepper, squash 'em or keem 'em?

Worth1 · July 25, 2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nematode

Egg masses on pepper, squash 'em or keem 'em?

WBC =western bean cutworm.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...64129991498653

BigVanVader · May 18, 2016

Ok seen a couple today I never have before. First one was on tomato plant in the GH. Second is on a patty pan squash plan. Any help appreciated.

BigVanVader · May 18, 2016

After further research I found that the insect in the second picture is a brown lacewing larva. No luck on the first one yet.

Nattybo! · May 18, 2016

Brown spiny bug looks like a leaf hopper. But I have never seen that one before. So spiny!

You are right, the 2nd one is a lacewing larvae. Keep your eyes out for the lacewing eggs; so tiny, so cool.

July 11, 2014	#3
Kazfam Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 113	#1 son says it is a type of aphid and to blast it with water. And yes, that is a ladybug larva...always good to see those visiting the garden. __________________ God Almighty first planted a garden, and indeed it is the purest of human pleasures. It is the greatest refreshment of the spirit of man, without which buildings and palaces are but gross handiwork. Francis Bacon

August 31, 2014	#5
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	Excellent PDF about bad, and beneficial stink bugs There are many. This is a university field guide. https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/444/444-356/444-356_pdf.pdf

February 22, 2015	#8
Mojave Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: SF Bay area Z9a Posts: 821	I gotta agree with solid7 on this one. Looks like a pretty healthy aphid to me, color isn't an indicator (I've seen red, green, and beige colonies at the same time on the same plant). Mummified ones usually look pretty ill and their legs go quickly. __________________ Bill _______________________________________________ When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. -John Muir Believe those who seek the Truth: Doubt those who find it. -André Gide

July 11, 2014	#1
tnkrer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: MA 6a/b Posts: 352	Friend or Foe? When I encounter insects on the plants, before I get rid of them, I want to know if they are beneficial or not. Matching what I see with photos found by google is not always successful. Also I have no way of building that knowledgebase. I hope that this post serves as that knowledgebase. So I propose that we make this a sticky thread. This would be a great knowledge base for new gardeners like me. I don't know if the forum software allows it, but if possible, we can keep maintaining the first post to update the information (real life photos from TVille members, names of insects, pests or predators etc) So here are a few insects I noticed on my tomato today. I think they are mites. Should be killed right? And I am seeing lady bug and lady bug larvae on that tomato. We know its a beneficial bug and eats aphids aplenty. photo of lady bug larvae

July 11, 2014	#4
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I'll bite. Assassin bug good. Wheel bug good.

November 29, 2014	#6
Nattybo! Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 272	the beige bug in the first photo is a mummified aphid. Inside is a parasitic wasp larvae, which is a good bug. Leave them on the plant. After a few days you will see a hole on the top side which means the wasp has emerged.

May 18, 2016	#14
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	After further research I found that the insect in the second picture is a brown lacewing larva. No luck on the first one yet.