FARM Need help identifying a bug in my garden

[Cag3db1rd]

As I was pulling up bunches of prickly lettuce today, I saw a cluster of little black beetles with red and black bullseyes on their butts congregating around the base of the stems. they were shaped like ladybird beetles, but were a tiny bit smaller than the average ladybird beetle. I have never seen them before. If i had a good enough camera, I'd have taken a picture. Does anyone know anything about any bugs that match this description? I'm combing the internet now for pictures.

it's not a milk weed bug or a box elder beetle, just for clarification.

 

[Grantbo]

 

[packyderms_wife]

Ok I googled black and red beetles let us know which one it is in this search que

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...urce=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=W_CpT7qgFYOm2gXS2KSmAg

 

[etdeb]

Hope someone post a picture, it sounds like the bugs coving my garage doors this morning

 

[Rabbit]

With our nothing winter this year we probably will need a new prefix added to the forum, "What's This Bug". I walk around my garden with my laminated picture of "Mac's Field Guide to Garden Bugs" with all the enthusiasm of a fervent bird watcher. "Oh look, it's a spotted what ever the &^ll".

 

[Dennis Olson]

You know, it's useful to TAKE A PICTURE and post it. They could be Asian Ladybugs:

 

[Adino]

pics would be good.

but in the end unless they are determined to be friendlies neem oil would be my 1st spray. every two days three times.

wait a couple or 3 days. if they are still around i'll try the safer insect killing soap per the above.

if they are still around and i'm not flowering then i am pissed off enough to break out the sevin.

 

[Cag3db1rd]

got a better look at them today. they were cowering under a brick I moved. They have a black head and thorax, and a red abdomen with 3 black lines centered on it. kinda like this: = and they are not boxelder bugs, either. google keeps giving me that as my answer. sigh.

With this better look, I should be able to find a picture online. The mystery will be solved soon...

Oh, and btw, I know what ladybird beetles are, but thanx for the reminder. There's soooo many of them on my unmowed and heavily wildflowered yard that it's just amazing. aphids beware!

 

[Creeper]

Try BugGuide.net's Beetle page
Possibly Bait-attracted sap beetle - Glischrochilus sanguinolentus

 

[GardenMum]

Those Asian lady bugs are bad news. They bite. And stink!

Looking for a field guide to garden bugs. Is Mac's Field Guide to Garden Bugs the best?

Thanks!

 

[fish hook]

As I was pulling up bunches of prickly lettuce today, I saw a cluster of little black beetles with red and black bullseyes on their butts congregating around the base of the stems. they were shaped like ladybird beetles, but were a tiny bit smaller than the average ladybird beetle. I have never seen them before. If i had a good enough camera, I'd have taken a picture. Does anyone know anything about any bugs that match this description? I'm combing the internet now for pictures.

it's not a milk weed bug or a box elder beetle, just for clarification.

Hard to tell without picturs,possibly harlequin( SP?)beetle

 

[Cag3db1rd]

i wish i had a cam that was good enough to take a pic. i'll try to sketch it out on paint.

 

[Cag3db1rd]

okay, this is the best my meager paint abilities can do. hope it helps.

 

[packyderms_wife]

okay, this is the best my meager paint abilities can do. hope it helps.

Dunno. Call your local extension office and ask them they'd know and if they don't then there is an infestion of a new bug in your area.

 

[Rabbit]

Looking for a field guide to garden bugs. Is Mac's Field Guide to Garden Bugs the best?

Thanks![/QUOTE]

I don't know if it's the best, it's the only one I have and it's helpful. It's a laminated sheet with colored pictures of bugs. One side show good bugs and the other side show the baddies. Someone gave it to me I think he got it at Barnes and Noble.

 

[packyderms_wife]

Looking for a field guide to garden bugs. Is Mac's Field Guide to Garden Bugs the best?

Thanks!

I don't know if it's the best, it's the only one I have and it's helpful. It's a laminated sheet with colored pictures of bugs. One side show good bugs and the other side show the baddies. Someone gave it to me I think he got it at Barnes and Noble.[/QUOTE]

It all depends, does it show the bugs in the nymph or larvae stage??? The pic she drew of the bug in paint is the same as the stinkbug in it's nymph stage. So is it a beetle or a nymph stage of another bug altogether???

 

[Adino]

Doesn't look like a friendly to me.

I have "The Organic Gardeners Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control" and the closest pic I had (not exact match) is like Packy said, stink bug larval stage.

If it was me they'd be neemed today.