Is this what I think it is?

TexasTycoon · July 17, 2015

Ignore my sad withering sage that has been overtaken by mealy bugs, it's getting bagged and tossed. The bug on the leaf, though, is that an assassin bug? I've never seen one so I'm not sure. Good guy, right? (Sorry for the large images, I'm on my phone. Also sorry they're not tack sharp, it's breezy today)

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Worth1 · July 17, 2015

Yes it even looks like it is eating something.
It is a baby one.
The ones I have are red and black at that age and then go to gray.
Worth

AlittleSalt · July 17, 2015

I agree with Worth. It is an assassin bug. Either green or brown is what is common here. Other colors to a lesser amount.

TexasTycoon · July 17, 2015

Good to know! Hope he's getting his fill of mealybugs and tells all his friends. Put some more ladybugs out tonight, the ones we put out last night just didn't stick around. I at least want some eggs laid before they leave!

b54red · July 18, 2015

The best thing about Assassin bugs is they will usually stay the whole season in the garden and they really do a number on pests. Lady bugs on the other hand take off as soon as it gets hot and I only see one now and then after spring. Another great thing about Assassin bugs is how much they will multiply during the season. I have thousands of them in the garden right now.

Bill

Bipetual · July 19, 2015

I just saw one of those for the first time today. It was on my basil. Never saw so many bugs as I've had this year. I've had the big, commercial yellow sticky traps out for a month and they are pretty full. Gruesome but effective. Plus my husband got a good laugh when my hair got kind of stuck to one, thankfully that happened when I first put them out so at least it was empty!

Until now the only beneficial I've recognized have been daddy longlegs.

Starlight · July 19, 2015

Texas... No need to throw out your sage. Mine looks bad this time of the season now along with several other perennials, but if you cut it back, treat for the mealy bugs, it will produce new growth and leaves once the temps cool a little bit.

Watch your fingers though. Those little assassin bugs have fierce bite if you get your hands to close.

TexasTycoon · July 19, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starlight

Texas... No need to throw out your sage. Mine looks bad this time of the season now along with several other perennials, but if you cut it back, treat for the mealy bugs, it will produce new growth and leaves once the temps cool a little bit.

Watch your fingers though. Those little assassin bugs have fierce bite if you get your hands to close.

The main reason I wanted to get rid of the sage (which I haven't done yet because there are still ladybugs all over it which we released a few days ago to help with the mealybugs) was that the mealybug infestation is concentrated on it, and I didn't want them to move on to other plants. The sage is over two years old and hasn't looked this sad before, and I'm just not sure if it's all due to the mealybugs or not. Does sage respond well to heavy pruning like basil does?

July 17, 2015	#1
TexasTycoon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: Round Rock, TX, Zone 8b Posts: 1,157	Is this what I think it is? Ignore my sad withering sage that has been overtaken by mealy bugs, it's getting bagged and tossed. The bug on the leaf, though, is that an assassin bug? I've never seen one so I'm not sure. Good guy, right? (Sorry for the large images, I'm on my phone. Also sorry they're not tack sharp, it's breezy today) Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk __________________ -Kelly "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." - Audrey Hepburn Bloom where you are planted.

July 17, 2015	#4
TexasTycoon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: Round Rock, TX, Zone 8b Posts: 1,157	Good to know! Hope he's getting his fill of mealybugs and tells all his friends. Put some more ladybugs out tonight, the ones we put out last night just didn't stick around. I at least want some eggs laid before they leave! __________________ -Kelly "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." - Audrey Hepburn Bloom where you are planted.

July 17, 2015	#2
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Yes it even looks like it is eating something. It is a baby one. The ones I have are red and black at that age and then go to gray. Worth

July 17, 2015	#3
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I agree with Worth. It is an assassin bug. Either green or brown is what is common here. Other colors to a lesser amount.

July 18, 2015	#5
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	The best thing about Assassin bugs is they will usually stay the whole season in the garden and they really do a number on pests. Lady bugs on the other hand take off as soon as it gets hot and I only see one now and then after spring. Another great thing about Assassin bugs is how much they will multiply during the season. I have thousands of them in the garden right now. Bill

July 19, 2015	#6
Bipetual Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Illinois, zone 5a Posts: 579	I just saw one of those for the first time today. It was on my basil. Never saw so many bugs as I've had this year. I've had the big, commercial yellow sticky traps out for a month and they are pretty full. Gruesome but effective. Plus my husband got a good laugh when my hair got kind of stuck to one, thankfully that happened when I first put them out so at least it was empty! Until now the only beneficial I've recognized have been daddy longlegs.

July 19, 2015	#7
Starlight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: AL Posts: 1,993	Texas... No need to throw out your sage. Mine looks bad this time of the season now along with several other perennials, but if you cut it back, treat for the mealy bugs, it will produce new growth and leaves once the temps cool a little bit. Watch your fingers though. Those little assassin bugs have fierce bite if you get your hands to close.