CLOSED: Beetle Identification

Hope Mills, NC(Zone 7b)

I wonder if anyone can ID and come up with a solution for the beetles in the attached photo's. A little background on them, they seemed to arrive about the same time that a Goldenrain tree I planted matured and started produceing fruit pods. The don't seem to do any damage, but they are annoying, so although I haven't been able to get rid of them I tolerated them. This year I planted a few tomato and cucumber plants in the garden near the tree. The beetles don't seem to bother the tomato plants, but they are all over the cucumber plants especially in the mulch around these plants. So far they don't seem to be doing any damage to them. I've tried different insecticides over the years to include Dursban Pro which while it was legal seemed to kill any insect that came in touch with it, except this beetle. They seem to really love the seed pods from the Goldenrain Tree. I would appreciate any help I can get.

Bob

Thumbnail by bobwhite1
Sinks Grove, WV

These are not beetles, but scentless plant bugs (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Rhopalidae). Specifically they are Jadera haematoloma, sometimes known as the goldenrain-tree bug. They do not appear to damage any garden plants; see http://tinyurl.com/kj38xj for detailed information.

Hope Mills, NC(Zone 7b)

suunto, Thanks for the quick reply. Your information hit the nail on the head and the web-site was very helpful.
Bob

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