Insect Problem

miniedmo · August 17, 2006

I don't see any damage to the plants but am curious to what they are? Could anyone tell me if they are friend or foe?

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kimpossible · August 18, 2006

To me, they look like those "mosquito catchers" - resemble huge mosquitoes, but by the name, I assume they eat them & are beneficial. I leave them be.

Fert1 · August 18, 2006

Reminds me a little of a walking-stick insect, which is a beneficial. I don't specifically recognize it, but I would also tend to suspect it's beneficial. Is there just the one or lots? The reason I ask is that you usually see the beneficials in groups of 1 or 2. The bad bugs usually come in droves. When there are lots and lots, it's usually bad news. Makes sense though. The predator bugs also tend to eat each other, so you wouldn't see large groups of them.

miniedmo · August 18, 2006

I shake the cages of the tomato plants and you will see maybe 10 fly out of the plant. I have not seen any damage at all to the plants.

Thank you two for the info. I feel a little more relaxed about it now.

Fert1 · August 18, 2006

If you're seeing them in groups of 10 or more, then it could be a problem insect. Maybe someone here will recognize what it is.

westocast73 · August 19, 2006

Looks like a type of Crane Fly to me ( I assume this is the insect Kim was reffering too as well ). Crane flies don't eat mosquitos though that's just one of those urban legends ( and is why they are sometimes called Mosquito Hawks ). They are mildly beneficial & mildly nuisance. Mainly bad for lawns and golf courses as larva. Not bad for your average lawn though and cause little damage in small quantities. They are also known as Leather Jackets ( which is another misunderstanding as Leather Jackets are only the Larva not the adult but many refer to the adult by the same name )

http://whatsthatbug.com/crane.html

I am pretty sure that is what you have though and it should be harmless to your Tomatoes.

melody · August 20, 2006

I vote for Crane Fly too....and as stated harmless to tomatoes and veggies.

kimpossible · August 20, 2006

Yes - that's what we have - Crane Flies - but I do like that Mosquito Catcher name better!

miniedmo · August 21, 2006

Thanks for all the info you guys. I am learning slowly but surely.

August 17, 2006	#1
miniedmo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 41	Insect Problem I don't see any damage to the plants but am curious to what they are? Could anyone tell me if they are friend or foe? [/img] [img][/img]

August 18, 2006	#2
kimpossible Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Z5b SW Ont Canada Posts: 767	To me, they look like those "mosquito catchers" - resemble huge mosquitoes, but by the name, I assume they eat them & are beneficial. I leave them be. __________________ *So Many Tomatoes ... So Little Time*

August 18, 2006	#3
Fert1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Upstate SC, Zone 7 Posts: 543	Reminds me a little of a walking-stick insect, which is a beneficial. I don't specifically recognize it, but I would also tend to suspect it's beneficial. Is there just the one or lots? The reason I ask is that you usually see the beneficials in groups of 1 or 2. The bad bugs usually come in droves. When there are lots and lots, it's usually bad news. Makes sense though. The predator bugs also tend to eat each other, so you wouldn't see large groups of them. __________________ Holly

August 18, 2006	#5
Fert1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Upstate SC, Zone 7 Posts: 543	If you're seeing them in groups of 10 or more, then it could be a problem insect. Maybe someone here will recognize what it is. __________________ Holly

August 20, 2006	#8
kimpossible Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Z5b SW Ont Canada Posts: 767	Yes - that's what we have - Crane Flies - but I do like that Mosquito Catcher name better! __________________ *So Many Tomatoes ... So Little Time*

August 19, 2006	#6
westocast73 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 144	Looks like a type of Crane Fly to me ( I assume this is the insect Kim was reffering too as well ). Crane flies don't eat mosquitos though that's just one of those urban legends ( and is why they are sometimes called Mosquito Hawks ). They are mildly beneficial & mildly nuisance. Mainly bad for lawns and golf courses as larva. Not bad for your average lawn though and cause little damage in small quantities. They are also known as Leather Jackets ( which is another misunderstanding as Leather Jackets are only the Larva not the adult but many refer to the adult by the same name ) http://whatsthatbug.com/crane.html I am pretty sure that is what you have though and it should be harmless to your Tomatoes.

August 20, 2006	#7
melody Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 162	I vote for Crane Fly too....and as stated harmless to tomatoes and veggies.

August 21, 2006	#9
miniedmo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 41	Thanks for all the info you guys. I am learning slowly but surely.