Seed-eating Bug (Melanerythrus mactans)

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kennedyh Churchill, Victoria, Australia(Zone 10a) Mar 26, 2009

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eagleeye56 Dublin, CA Apr 04, 2009

I have several of the Melanerythrus mactans, seed-eating bugs in my garden. I have recently planted green beans from seeds. I live in Dublin, California, within the Bay Area. Could these bugs do damage to my vegetable garden? What are the positives?

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kennedyh Churchill, Victoria, Australia(Zone 10a) Apr 05, 2009

eagleeye, it is very unlikely that the bugs in your garden are Melanerythrus mactans, as that species is confined to Australia, where I live.

There are several members of the Seed-bug family the Lygaeidae which do live in America and are quite similar in appearance to this bug.
I think the closest in appearance are the various Milkweed Bugs in the genus Oncopeltus: http://bugguide.net/node/view/316/bgpage

These are significant pests among milkweed plants but would be unlikely to harm a vegetable garden,

Kennedy

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