CLOSED: World's ugliest bug lives on my Grapefruit tree

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maillady2 Saint Augustine, FL(Zone 9a) Oct 19, 2008

I have three of these living on my grapefruit tree among the aphids, ladybugs, and a variety of other charmers. It is looking to the left.
It is about 1-2 inches long and when aggrivated it sticks its tounge out like a snake. Not a fast mover but can when prevolked. Until it moves it looks like huge bird scat. I can't see where it is eating leaves but more like he may be eating the aphids. If is is I want to keep them if not what can I do so I don't hurt the lady bugs? Any ideas?
Thanks from a newby,
maillady2

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pford1854 Somerset, KY(Zone 6b) Oct 19, 2008

Giant Swallowtail
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/showimage/7442/

The mother lays her eggs on citrus.
The cats do look exactly like bird poop - nice safety feature. ;)

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maillady2 Saint Augustine, FL(Zone 9a) Oct 19, 2008

OK so I need to let the ugly bug live to save the butterfly and let the lady bugs live because they eat bugs. What do i do about the aphids and the other bugs?
The wonderful people we bought the house from back in Feb. were very organic and I am trying to be but...
Thanks.
Maillady2

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pford1854 Somerset, KY(Zone 6b) Oct 19, 2008

:)
Hire more lady bugs, or just smash them with your fingers. oooooohhhh. :)
definitely keep the ugly duckling (beautiful swan)

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maillady2 Saint Augustine, FL(Zone 9a) Oct 19, 2008

Another newbee question...
How can I get more lady bugs to come around? I have great abitat for them and lots of aphids to eat.

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Sheila_FW Fort Worth, TX(Zone 8a) Oct 19, 2008

You can buy ladybugs in the spring at the garden centers. You release at night at the bottom of the plants and they crawl up and stay there until the next day (breeding and laying eggs) and eating aphids of course.

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Malus2006 Coon Rapids, MN(Zone 4a) Nov 02, 2008

The orange orchard people hate this butterfly as it is a major pest on them and also the ladybugs sold in stores tend to be asian ladybugs which is more of a pest - they had already cause the decline or possible extinction of native ladybugs.

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