What kind of bug is this?

hot turkey · March 15, 2009

Found a bunch of these little guys on my plants! What the heck is it?

**mdvpc** · March 15, 2009

looks like an aphid to me. if you get some green lacewings or lady bugs, they will eat them fast-especially the green lace wings-you buy them as eggs, they hatch and are voracious eaters of aphids. I have always had an aphid problem on my peppers and eggplants-got some green lacewing eggs last summer and they cleaned up the aphids in about 7-10 days.

Wi-sunflower · March 15, 2009

I agree with both what it looks like and the cure.

We have purchased ladybugs and lacewings in the past and they do a great job on aphids.After a couple of purchases we've found you have a naturally higher population of both. At least we have.

Carol

huntoften · March 24, 2009

I had an infestation of them every year until last year. I solved the problem with silver reflective mulch. I didn't have a single aphid problem last year. The film is supposed to bounce light up under the leaves so the aphids can't find a shady spot to lay their eggs and feed. I used no pesticides at all on any of my tomato plants last year. The only insect problem I had at all was flea beetles on my aubergine plants in containers...no reflective mulch used.

stormymater · March 24, 2009

last year my okra served as sacrificial crop to the aphids. Loved that okra they did!

tjg911 · March 25, 2009

easy solution - blast the plants with a garden hose using a pistol grip or similiar device that creates pressure. you knock them off the plants and they can not return.

tom

hasshoes · April 2, 2009

I used the reflective method with great results. Good to know lacewings and ladybugs work. . . I was thinking about ordering them for our insane spruce mite problem.

Mojo · April 14, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormymater

last year my okra served as sacrificial crop to the aphids. Loved that okra they did!

I don't dare do that here. Aside from the okra turning into trees by the end of the season, the okra-based aphids in turn bring FIRE ANTS to my beds. The cure can be worse than the problem.

March 15, 2009	#1
hot turkey Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Deland, Florida Posts: 7	What kind of bug is this? Found a bunch of these little guys on my plants! What the heck is it?

March 15, 2009	#2
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	looks like an aphid to me. if you get some green lacewings or lady bugs, they will eat them fast-especially the green lace wings-you buy them as eggs, they hatch and are voracious eaters of aphids. I have always had an aphid problem on my peppers and eggplants-got some green lacewing eggs last summer and they cleaned up the aphids in about 7-10 days. __________________ Michael

March 24, 2009	#4
huntoften Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas CIty Posts: 560	I had an infestation of them every year until last year. I solved the problem with silver reflective mulch. I didn't have a single aphid problem last year. The film is supposed to bounce light up under the leaves so the aphids can't find a shady spot to lay their eggs and feed. I used no pesticides at all on any of my tomato plants last year. The only insect problem I had at all was flea beetles on my aubergine plants in containers...no reflective mulch used. __________________ Kansas City, Missouri Zone 5b/6a

March 25, 2009	#6
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	easy solution - blast the plants with a garden hose using a pistol grip or similiar device that creates pressure. you knock them off the plants and they can not return. tom __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

April 2, 2009	#7
hasshoes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MT Posts: 438	I used the reflective method with great results. Good to know lacewings and ladybugs work. . . I was thinking about ordering them for our insane spruce mite problem. __________________ Sara

March 15, 2009	#3
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	I agree with both what it looks like and the cure. We have purchased ladybugs and lacewings in the past and they do a great job on aphids.After a couple of purchases we've found you have a naturally higher population of both. At least we have. Carol

March 24, 2009	#5
stormymater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleasure Island, NC 8a Posts: 1,162	last year my okra served as sacrificial crop to the aphids. Loved that okra they did!