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cactuspatch Alamogordo, NM(Zone 7b) Jul 31, 2009

I think someone told me they frequent Indian Blankets (gallardias) but this one was on weeds in my side yard. There were several actually.

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Post #6890771
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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 31, 2009

This is a net-winged beetle (Coleoptera: Lycidae); likely Lycus arizonensis - see http://tinyurl.com/n5ztjn and http://tinyurl.com/nparvy

Post #6890947
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cactuspatch Alamogordo, NM(Zone 7b) Jul 31, 2009

Thanks so much for that quick response! Is it a harmful insect or a beneficial? I didn't kill any of the ones I found, always let Mother nature alone as much as possible.

This message was edited Jul 31, 2009 4:00 PM

Post #6890958
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insectlady Augusta, GA Aug 03, 2009

From: A Field Guide To Insects by Borror and White page 163, "Net- winged beetles [Family Lycididae] live on vegetation, flowers and foliage of trees and shrubs, usually in wooded areas. Adults feed on plant juices or other insects." I would classify it as beneficial, since it feeds on other insects, unless there were huge numbers of them on a plant.

Post #6902822
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cactuspatch Alamogordo, NM(Zone 7b) Aug 03, 2009

I have not seen large amounts of them, so I thought they might be beneficial. No damage to the weeds they were on either--at least none I could see.

Post #6902871
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