Anyone recognize what type of insect this is?

Discussion in 'The Green Patch' started by natshare, Jun 12, 2018.


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  1. natshare

    natshare Monkey+++

    Found these in one of my garden boxes today, when I went out to do some weeding. I didn't notice any particular destruction going on, on the plants that I found it on....but I don't want to make the mistake of thinking it's a beneficial insect, only to find out it's eating MY veggies! Conversely, I don't want to just nuke them, only to find out they were eating what was trying to eat my stuff.

    If it matters at all, the one in the picture was found on a bell pepper plant. Didn't really notice any trend, in that direction, though....

    Google was not helpful in identifying it (via reverse image search), so any help in identifying this critter, will be greatly appreciated! (y)
    bug close up.
     
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  2. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    That looks like a batman symbol on its back.
     
  3. Dunerunner

    Dunerunner Brewery Monkey Moderator

    It is a beetle... ? [peep]
     
  4. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    It looks like a beetle to me. I googled and there is no such thing as a batman beetle. I thought maybe a cucumber beetle but the spots are wrong
     
  5. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

    Volkswagen beetle?...

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    But, it isn't wearing a cape?
    No instrument. I wonder if it has an English accent?
     
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  7. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    I tried to do the same thing. Google came up with a Leaf Beetle. But, I couldn't find a similar image.
     
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  8. Tempstar

    Tempstar Monkey+++

    It's a variation of a "Ladybug" beetle. It is most likely searching for Aphids and other tiny pests. I took a few very similar but not as remarkable to the ag extension office several years back and was told climatic conditions cause variations in their color scheme sometimes.
     
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  9. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

    Actually all joking aside it looks like a harlequin beetle we normally see them of mustard and cabbage plants that aren't doing so well....

    [​IMG]
    Order Heteroptera, family Pentatomidae,
    Murgantia histrionica




    Adult--1/4" to 3/8"Adults are red (or orange or yellow) and black, shiny,flat and shield-shaped true bugs.

    Check out the beetle in the upper right of the picture and compare...
     
  10. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    Puts me in mind of a Ladybird beetle, but the colors are wrong.
     
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  11. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

    [​IMG]

    Nymph form...
     
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  12. sec_monkey

    sec_monkey SM Security Administrator

    yep WD 01 pretty much nailed it, except it is "Not to be confused with [ the ] harlequin beetle."

    "The harlequin cabbage bug (Murgantia histrionica), also known as calico bug, fire bug or harlequin bug, is a black stinkbug of the family Pentatomidae, brilliantly marked with red, orange, yellow and white markings. It is destructive to cabbage and related plants in tropical America as well as throughout most of North America, especially the warmer parts of the United States. In addition to cabbage it can be a major pest to crops such as broccoli, radishes, and the ornamental flower cleome."


    they are a pest [gun] em [flm] em
     
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  13. Zimmy

    Zimmy Wait, I'm not ready!

    Looks almost like an Asian lady beetle. They stink when smashed and bite.
     
  14. SB21

    SB21 Monkey+++

    I wasn't going to be able to tell you exactly what it was , but I was thinking I used to see it in my grandparents garden years ago , or one pretty similar to it. Seems like I used to see'em on the tater plants.
     
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  15. natshare

    natshare Monkey+++

    Okay, that might actually make sense, then. I don't have any cabbage (etc) in that box, but I did have some mustard plants, that I was letting go to seed, so I could harvest the seeds from them. Guess I'll spend part of the weekend, pulling the remainder of those out, which will, hopefully, make them go elsewhere, and not mess with the peppers, beans or asparagus that I'm trying to get going, in that box.

    Thanks for the assistance! (y)
     
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