What are these things and How do I get rid of them?

[azgirl]

I am bug illiterate. I don't like them and don't care to know them on a first name basis. However, I find myself having to 1) get close enough to take their picture while hoping they don't fly at my face and 2) figure out what their "name" is so I can deal with them.

These things fly and buzz at you when in the garden (this is my dad's garden). I believe they are sitting on the tomatoes and sucking the juice out of them rendering many of the tomatoes garbage! I asked at my local (very knowledgeable nursery) and they didn't know. I suggested a type of stinkbug, but they didn't think so...so here I am asking you guys!

Dad's approach has always been to do nothing, but these things are TAKING OVER and it is time to do something. I have always preferred organic, but will do whatever is necessary to exterminate this creatures before they take over his back yard and/or fly off with other small creatures (like, my dog).

Thanks in advance for your help.

[cottonpicker]

Could very well be stinkbugs. On another forum I read that someone vacuums the off with a hand-held vacuum & dumps them into soapy water to kill them.
Ldd

[puzzley]

I think that is a leaf-footed bug, a relative of the stinkbug. If the hind legs have a flattened area, that's probably what they are. pControls include covering each fruit with a paper bag, (impractical if you have a lot of tomatoes) hand picking, or spraying with an insecticide. Bionide yard and garden spray will preobably get them. Check and follow the label.

[tjg911]

if they are soft bodied use insecticidal soap, in fact i think that would work for hard shelled too as i believe insects breathe thru their bodies. if you google it you can find the recipe it's pretty simple stuff.

[feldon30]

Stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs are unimpressed by insecticidal soap. Have you got a flamethrower?

[azgirl]

No flamethrower. Any other ideas? These things are freaky!

[maryserv]

We've just started with these guys around here. I think those are leaf-footed bugs, but they hang with the stink bugs. And yes, they will buzz you. My understanding is that Seven is the only thing you can use on them, although there is one other "organic" treatment that is not easy to find for me.

[shlacm]

The vacuum method sure does sound gratifying!!!

[Worth1]

Make sure they are not assassin bugs these bugs will sting like the devil but they eat stink bugs. Not all bugs are bad.


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...G2N7_88T7M1Fug

Worth

[feldon30]

Assassin Bugs are generally found alone. If you find 2-3 bugs of this type, they're generally stink bugs. But try to be sure.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by feldon30

Assassin Bugs are generally found alone. If you find 2-3 bugs of this type, they're generally stink bugs. But try to be sure.

That is true but one place I lived there was huge hatching's of wheel bugs. the stink bugs didn't stand a chance.

[azgirl]

So...if there are A LOT, then they are probably not the assassins? Are the red things different? (The second picture shows them.)

General conclusion...I need a flamethrower and a vacuum?

[maryserv]

If there are several "red things" then that is a nest of baby stinkbugs. They like to be under a leaf until they are big enough to go out and suck the life out of your tomatoes alone. : [ I found a nest that was on a leaf stalk and just took it off and put it in soapy water.

[azgirl]

Awww, man. So, my dad has both? Stinkbugs and leafhoppers? Ewww.

What is the "organic" treatment? Or should I just buy the Seven or bionide?

If I just pull everything out (it's been 110+ here for a couple weeks), will they go away? or do I just delay the problem for when I replant for Fall?

[desertlzbn]

Try some Diatomaceous earth, I have been using it for a while now, and am not having any bug problems on my tomatoes.