Hi All,
I found this bug running around nearby park.
need to know what insect this is and whether it is a beneficial insect. I am facing major mealybug problem and for now I am using neem oil. Hoping to introduce some good bugs, Unfortunately, I cannot order them online in india and have to go looking for them in parks and other places.
Thanks,
Dheeraj
This bug is in the family Pyrrhocoridae; it might be in the genus Dindymus - http://www.aemnp.eu/PDF/46_0/46_0_21.pdf
Very similar appearing species occur in South Africa and Malaysia.
This is similar in appearance to the American Boxelder bug, Boisea trivittata in nymph (baby) stage. The Boxelder bug is not a good bug or necessarily a bad bug but it can be a nuisance bug, in that it can invade homes in winter. It feeds on plant juices. Doesn't cause much damage but can be bad news for apple, plum and strawberry growers. http://www.pestworld.org/news-and-views/pest-articles/articles/boxelder-bugs-101/
Another American look alike is the Milkweed Bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus. which feed mainly on Milkweeds, Asclepias. http://bugguide.net/node/view/504
There are are however, bugs of the same family that feed on harmful insects. Even their own harmful family members. These are known as Ambush bugs. This could possibly be a nymph from one of those.
This bug being from India, it is not colored exactly the same so cannot be 100% certain. I am only familiar with American insects. But hope that maybe I've pointed you in the right direction to do your own research.
All of these, including the one pictured, are true Bugs. Most will emit a strong, unpleasant odor which they use as a defense.
The posting above by ilv2grdn appears misleading to say the least. Boxelder bugs belong to the family Rhopalidae whereas dj2909's insect is, as I said, in the family Pyrrhocoridae. And ambush bugs belong to an entirely different family, Reduviidae (subfamily Phymatinae).
As I stated above: "This bug being from India, it is not colored exactly the same so cannot be 100% certain. ""I am only familiar with American insects"". But hope that maybe I've pointed you in the right direction to do your own research."
Apparently you didn't get that far?
I did get that far. I saw nothing that added anything useful to the post I made. You were, IMHO, pointing in the wrong direction. And color in itself is not always a good identifier because of individual variation.
Did I say it was?! I have never been one that couldn't admit when I've made a mistake. I did, in fact, admit that I wasn't "100% certain" AND that "I am only familiar with American insects" One needs to comprehend what one reads.
Any difference in opinion should be met with friendly discussion. NOT arrogant attacks! Conversation CLOSED.
