We have a recent infestation of this beetle ~ the size of a lady bug on all our peppers and even some cleome. I looked up ladybird beetle photos and could not find an id for this one. Any ideas of what it is? I noticed as it grows the white markings diminish and seem to be only on the side and the size increases too; transforming a bit out of the sphere shape to more of a shield shape. This is a photo of a young one I believe
It's a Harlequin Bug nymph: http://bugguide.net/node/view/5388
Adults: http://bugguide.net/node/view/557
I just found them destroying my cleome.
Bug files could use a picture of this nymph stage... that's a really good picture, too.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/807/
Thank you both so much! that is what they are alright ~ I'm going to go examine the cleome for eggs ~ I added the photo to bug files! does someone from DG write "solved" on my thread heading or am I supposed to do it somehow?
Somewhere at the top or bottom of the thread, with the 'mark as unread, watch this thread, back to the top of this thread', etc., it should say something like 'mark this thread as solved'... I think you're the only one who can do it.
oh geez, big bold blue print...thanks!...enjoy the fall/winter season :)
