Who are these guys...

[tmpgh]

And what do I do with them?

I found this in my Privet this morning. I inspected this tree yesterday and didn't see this guy there. I inspected this morning again and this is all I found of him in the canopy.


I found this guy in my sweet gum the other day and shoo'd him away. Should I have squished him instead?


If these guys are bad for my trees, what should I do with them? Right now I'm fighting some fungus gnats in a few trees (overwatered ugh), aphids on my tomato plants, ants in a maple pot, suspected spider mites in my azaleas, though I've only actually found 3-4 of them. There are webs... I also suspect lace-bugs on another tree, but haven't been able to find any. It's been a pesty week. Being totally new to this hobby, I'm feeling some stress over it.

Any and all suggestions welcome!

 

[tmpgh]

I've figured out that the second culprit there is a leaf hopper. Still no clues on the first guy. Any ideas?

 

[Zach Smith]

And what do I do with them?

I found this in my Privet this morning. I inspected this tree yesterday and didn't see this guy there. I inspected this morning again and this is all I found of him in the canopy.

I found this guy in my sweet gum the other day and shoo'd him away. Should I have squished him instead?

If these guys are bad for my trees, what should I do with them? Right now I'm fighting some fungus gnats in a few trees (overwatered ugh), aphids on my tomato plants, ants in a maple pot, suspected spider mites in my azaleas, though I've only actually found 3-4 of them. There are webs... I also suspect lace-bugs on another tree, but haven't been able to find any. It's been a pesty week. Being totally new to this hobby, I'm feeling some stress over it.

Any and all suggestions welcome!

I don't know what you've got on the privet, though the shape reminds me of stink bug or assassin bug. Privet only has a couple of enemies, scale and whitefly. Scale is worse, as it mimics the bark color and you don't always recognize it in time. Sweetgum only seems to be susceptible to tent caterpillars in spring, but these are easily managed.

I don't think either of these bugs is of significant concern. Just my two cents.

Zach

 

[tmpgh]

Thanks Zach.

It just seems like I've found a bug in every pot over the past ten days. I thought stink bug as well when I first saw it, but the color was too dark. It was only the exoskeleton which made it a bit harder. I've never seen an assassin bug in the flesh, so, just not sure. I guess it's all a part of the education one needs to get on in the hobby.

 

[Zach Smith]

Thanks Zach.

It just seems like I've found a bug in every pot over the past ten days. I thought stink bug as well when I first saw it, but the color was too dark. It was only the exoskeleton which made it a bit harder. I've never seen an assassin bug in the flesh, so, just not sure. I guess it's all a part of the education one needs to get on in the hobby.

Bugs seem to come in cycles, at least where I am. In spring first there's nothing and then the inch worms show up. There's a small green caterpillar I get, and the webworms always come around for their turn. I'll get rounds of aphids that I dutifully kill off. In summer there's a spiny caterpillar that's specific to water-elm. I've even seen one or two hornworms in my time.

I try my best to avoid chemicals, but if it gets too bad then it's lights out for the vermin.

You'll get better at recognizing and managing pests as you go on, don't worry.

Zach

 

[GrimLore]

It is a stink bug, Assassin Bugs when mature are similar but they have two long arms protruding from the front that they inject poison with. Either way both are harmless to your plants. Not certain what the other one is, would have to be a bit more clear for my old eyes

 

[jk_lewis]

There are hundreds of species of "stink bugs." Some are good bugs and some are bad. However, finding ONE bug is not the end of the world.

On your azaleas, I dunno about spider mites. I've never seen one on an azalea. Remember this is the end of summer. Spiders are everywhere. Some are big, some are tiny. ALL of them are helpful. Just because you have webs on your trees does not mean spider mites.

Insects are going to be more visible at this time of year, also. But they're usually nothing to be worried about. The leaves on your trees are getting old and tired, too -- even on the evergreens. So all damage to leaves isn't from insects.

 

[dick benbow]

thinking the other insect maybe a beneficial lacewing?

 

[bougie nights]

I think Dick Benbow is correct on the lacewing - one of the good guys.

 

[tmpgh]

I think Dick Benbow is correct on the lacewing - one of the good guys.

I had the green guy hop onto my arm after taking that pic and got a close look. Not a lacewing. Pretty sure it's a leaf hopper. Candy striped maybe. It has red stripes down the sides and jumped like a grass hopper. Either way, i think i was over treating for some minor issues. Typical new guy behavior!