It is about the size of an adult male fingernail, it can fly, and I found one that had crawled under my window screen. I want to know what it is, so I can either release it back outside, or, if it is a destructive bug, bring my wrath down upon it. I have a feeling it is some kind of beetle, which are usually beneficial.
Another image - my camera is old - can't take good close-ups.
It looks like some sort of shield bug
What are the colors looks like black with orange trim.
They believe they are plant eaters, but I don't think a real nuisance bug.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=shield+bug&searcher%5Bbugorder%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&Search=Search
Try posting over here http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/bugid/all/ for more expert identifiers
Jungleman:
I'm not sure what kind of beetle it is, but it seems to resemble one I saw in my greenhouse. At time, it had just chased down a grey, fleshy looking caterpillar (probably moth). Then it ate the caterpillar. It was my friend. I have a small patch of dichondra that the caterpillar's were destroying! Don't worry, I didn't feed them to my chickens. I believe in catch & release back into the wild. Bats get hungry too! LOL!
Seriously, I'll see if I can find it in my So. Cal. bug book or if my son knows it.
WIB,
SingingWolf
The markings are a tan color. Not bright at all.
Jman:
Mine was a very dark brown, maybe black, I didn't have the best lighting either. I'm not sure about the markings. I looked in three of the four most likely places to find the bug book. No success. I will have to go out to the P.patch to look in the 4th place. I did ask my son about the bug, and he said he thought it was a weird kind of stinkbug that he has seen around here. I hope that helps narrow down the search.
WIB,
SingingWolf
I am a softy. I would let it go.
PotEm -
I did let it go, I also let another one go that was sitting on my nightstand one night. Termites, roches, and ants don't get my sympathy - but nearly every other bug does. I was mainly concerned if it was one of the non-natives that have had ill effects on crops in Calif. Of course, all bets are off if it means a plant will die entirely due to infestation!
Jeff
Eeeeak, Jeff, please add wool moths to your list of bugs not deserving of "catch&release." Wool is a plant of sorts, isn't it? ;O
Linda, overrun with wool moths this fall
Jungleman:
I'm the catch and release sort too. I really hate ants in my house, roaches (thank gosh we don't have them), wax moths (DH is a beekeeper, and they like to eat bees wax, they also eat the food in my pantry). I am currently dealing with a termite problem, so they aren't a favorite in my house either. Beneficial bugs and I think your beetle is one, are always welcome. I have allergies to chemicals, so if I can use alternative methods that are non-toxic to me and the good bugs, I'm all for it.
Sorry, I still haven't found the bug book. I'll keep looking.
WIB,
SingingWolf
Pretty sure it's a Shield Bug. Sucks plant juices. Black w/orange markings--looks good for Hallowe'en.
Definitely looks like a shield!
I have boat loads of those bugs. They eat my zucchini. They must taste unpleasant because my chickens won't eat them.
Hey, I live in Payson Az. and this looks like some major bugage I get. I can't tell by the pic. Does it smell like Marigolds when you disturbe it. If so, I don't know what the h.......l it is, but I get lots and lots of them. The don't seem to do any harm but they stink constantly. Sorry for the obvious NO_HELP. but I will be watching to see if you get any answers.
Hey loveshorses,
What the heck are you trying to be, a bugologist?? (Just kiddin') You need to stick to horses!! lol Speaking of insects,
how about a stink bug, anyhow that is what we always called them,You can understand why if you accidently smash one!! Yuk! Could also be an assian bug and they bite BAD! I don't think it's body is elongated enough tho.Well anyhow smash it and if it stinks it is a stink bug. If not, well it wasn't, but tooooo late for the bug.
J
Here is a picture of an Assain bug.But, They are parasites and if one bites you they carry all kinds of diseases.
Hope this picture comes thru big enough.
J
Would you like to see the information on this assain bug?
If so I will send it. Very interesting. By the way it is orange and black, so the article states.
J
