I couldn't stand the Japanese Beetles any more and was about to go spray with "megadeath"......and then I saw this guy, and it encouraged me to spare the good guys and wait it out. I expect the beetle departure in about two more weeks. Anyone know who this beetle sucker is?
thats a great pic.
but I don't know who the hero is?
He is pretty scary looking. I had a bad feeling he could have just as easly been attached to my arm as the beetle!
An assassin bug. Great guy!
He's still a baby bug in your picture, so if you are lucky he might be one of those large assassin bugs - like a wheel bug. Until then he should munch away happily on your beetles. It's pretty impressive that even as a nymph, he can get your Japanese beetles.
I thought a wheel bug was a bad guy! Thanks for the ID!
thripmaster - a wheel bug CAN be a bad guy, but not for your plants.
Wheel bugs are great predators. Unfortunately, the things that make wheel bugs such good predators - a big beak and "venom" - can also mean a big OUCH! if they accidentally bite you. They can have a very painful bite, and people sensitive to them can have effects on the bite area for days. They aren't aggressive, but if handled wrong, squished against the skin, etc. they might bite in defense.
ceejaytown is correct though, and he might just be a regular assassin bug rather than the wheel variety. (Assassin bugs, though smaller, can still bite though, just like wheel bugs).
This message was edited Jun 23, 2006 5:07 AM
