I have an infestation of black bugs with dullish orange backs that have a light colored spot in the center of their backs. They are invading my strawberry patch. I tried to spray them a few times with insecticidal soap but this doesn't do anything to them.
They are now migrating to other parts of the yard.
Does anyone know anything about these bugs?
This appears to be a nymph of a boxelder bug (Boisea spp.; Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Rhopalidae; see http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/614/. Given your location, it could be is a western boxelder bug (Boisea rubrolineata). Conventional wisdom is that they do little real damage (feeding primarily on developing seeds of boxelder and other members of the maple genus (Acer spp.), but the western boxelder bug can be damaging to orchard fruit - see http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r603302311.html. Also, I have seen the eastern species feeding on pea pods and black raspberries in Maryland.
Insecticidal soaps have been reported as effective, but only if the insects are thoroughly covered with the spray. Most conventional pesticides registered for homeowner use also should be effective; you may try contacting your county cooperative extension agent (see http://ucanr.org/ce.cfm for contact information) for advice specific to your situation.
