Hi,
I'm new to this forum, but guess I'm in the right place to post these pictures of some red bugs that are crawling over the tomatoes. I just noticed them this morning, and they seem to congregate around the only ripe tomato in this particular vine. Any help in ID'ing and erradication would be greatly appreciated.
one more pic
I believe they are stink bugs. If so, they will suck the life out of your tomatoes! I squish them with my fingers.
Someone more knowledgeable will know the answer...
It's a war !!! Squish them ...
Thank you. How come the pictures of stink bugs on google look so different? Does it depend on specific developmental stages?
Looks more like an assassin bug nymph. Definitely not a squash bug.
My monitor is not the best for viewing pics but if it is red, skinny-legged, and the abdomen slightly tilts upward it is most likely an assassin bug nymph. If so, those are good guys, no need to squish them; why get rid of something that is beneficial, eh?
Shoe
Definitely not a squash bug. I get "leaf footed bugs" that are orangey red nymphs that look a bit like those. The Leaf footed bugs puncture the tomatoes and suck juices - damaging the skin.
But bugs are likely way different in GA than NJ... Good luck. Squishing is a good thing if they're not beneficials... I sweep the bad ones into a bucket of water with dish soap in it. I like to watch them "swim"...
Leaf-Footed bug nymphs. You can see feeding marks on the tomato already.
Some parts of the country call them stink bugs because they can emit an odor. But real stink bugs are much more stout and squat looking.
My leaf footed bug in TX is very similar.
The baby are orange so they are easy to see. When they are little they run faster, but as adults they are slow.
The love to suck juice from the tomatoes.
Get read of them as fast as you can !
Yep, I can see those little feeding marks you mentioned, Ray. Hmmm...
Here's a great site with pics, showing both nymphs of assassin bugs (note the longer head section as in betulo's pics) and nymphs of leaf footed bugs.
Still, it's hard for me to get past the blur in some pics. (I like the link though!)
http://www.dpughphoto.com/true_bugs.htm
Shoe (nearly tomato-less now, down to only five plants left)
Hi Shoe, good site. Saved to the bug folder.
I did wonder if they could be Assassin Bug nymphs, but seeing what looks like feeding marks on tomato makes me think Leaf Footed nymphs. Generally assassin bugs have white spots at that stage and are usually solitary even when young. Their wings are much more developed than than Leaf-footed at this stage as well. Hard to tell if there is signs of wings being formed in the pics. You're right about the head shape though. One definite way to tell is the segments of the beak....Leaf footed bugs have 4 segmented beaks(longer and thinner), assassin bugs have 3 segmented beaks(stronger and shorter). Not sure anybody would try this.... but one could stick one with a needle and take a look with a magnifying glass to make a positive ID either way.
One thing that I don't see is the leaf shaped form on the back legs. They still could be too young. If it does develop, it's definitely a leaf footed bug. No assassin bug has it. My eyes might be playing tricks on me, but it seems they are starting to widen a little bit in the 2nd pic.
Here's some more pics of LF bugs.
http://www.asergeev.com/pictures/k/Leaf_bug.htm
Thanks! Good tips on "bugging".... I love bugs, all kinds...well, I should say I love "knowing" bugs or figuring them out. (I definitely have a hate relationship with stink bugs though, my biggest nemesis on my place.)
The link you gave is saved to my PC! I love the way the pics blow up when hovering over them. Sure helps tired eyes see better. That guy is amazing, he really put together a nice site.
Thanks
Poor betulo...you're probably learning more than you expected, eh? Sorry, but it's catching! *grin
Shoe
Here's a look at the difference between the proboscises(or is it probosci?) Oh nevermind, Beaks! :)
Great pics! Wow, that leaf footed bug has a LONG proboscisssss...."beak" (Grinnin')
You know, one of the neatest things I got to witness once was an assassin bug who had just got a Japanese beetle. His beak was firmly implanted in the beetle's back. I wish I'd had a digital camera in those days. It was amazing to see the action.
Shoe
A Japanese Beetle Slurpee :)
Isn't it funny how we feel when we see a predatory bug snatch up a bad one? It puts a big smile on my face every time. Sometimes a fist pump and a loud "Yeeahhhhh!" lol
A friend sent me this pic(blurry but you know the outcome)
I agree it's a leaf footed bug nymph. They are often hard to tell from assassin bugs. They've got a lot of instars going to keep you guessing. They don't eat the fruit in an obvious way but seem to hover around. Then you notice discolorations and spots the way stink bugs wreck fruit. These bugs love peppers too. They usually have an older nymph that seems to be like a babysitter and herds them around for safety. They are easy to spot and easy to knock into a cup of water. Since they usually hang out in a close nursery arrangement it's not necessary to spray an entire group of plants. Let them join the swim team.
"Let them join the swim team."
Heheheh...that sums it up. We're anti-life guards in that case, eh, Laurel! *grin
Nice pic, Ray....sic 'em! :>_)
shoe
SO is the team coach; I'm the Captain. We have "pools" (old, cracked plastic cups) stationed around the garden. Season starts in early spring. This has worked better in cutting down subsequent populations than any sprays. We also have a snail pitching camp going. Some real All Stars on that team too.
Shoe and Ray-those dang pictures kept me up last night (not kidding). I'm pretty tough but all those bugs gave me the creeps. There are so many different types and they look different at different stages. Yuck!
Thank you all. This was great information. I'm sorry about the blurry pictures - I hope this additional picture is of some help to those of you still undecided as to the correct ID. At a more practical level, can the swimming instructors elaborate on their programs? Do you fill a container half-way and submerge the tomatoes covered with bugs in the water? Can a hose do the trick?
Thank you!
Those bugs are really quick. Just put gloves and start to squeeze. Don't wait too long!
Got a Shop-Vac? Vacuum them up right off the plant. Think you caught a couple of them feeding. Looks like 2 of them have their beaks out.
Yep, much clean pic, betulo. Thanks. Even I can see those are leaf-footed nymphs. And yep, the one in the middle has that super long probscis extended. What a great shot!
As for drowning them, a bucket or can half filled with water is all you need, knocking them off and into the can. Some people put a little soap in the water to make it slick so they can't climb out.
Shoe
For those interested(or those that want to get the creeps). Here's one of my favorite bug sites. Click on the pic your bug resembles the most and generally you can find the exact name for the bug you are trying to ID. http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/bugs
Thanks Ray definitely gives me the creeps. I know I dont have to click on it but.... Stupid, stupid question but wont the shop-vac pull the tomatoes off too? I wish a shop-vac would work on deer. Argh......
betulo-please let us know how the "swimming" thing goes.
Not if you use the right attachment :) But I guess I was thinking/meaning more of the handheld vacuums, like a Dirt Devil or Eureka.
Beautiful photo Betulo!
Many of the garden pests have an instinct to drop down when disturbed, so I put a bucket of mildly soapy water under the fruit/leaf and then tap the branch/fruit so they fall - imagining little cries of horror as they land in the bug pool... Leaf footed bugs seem to be able to bite as adults and are harder to catch.
This is a good bug site to request identification: http://WhatsThatBug.com I'm fascinated with the bugs in my garden. So many more good than bad, but when they are bad...
Cindy
