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Sat, Jul 26, 14 at 9:14
| I try to be organic,but, overnight an invasion of these bugs stripped the whole row of potatoes. They are starting to eat the chard and tomatoes now. I'm ready to spray but would like an ID They are shaped like lightening bugs but have black abdomens. in all my years of gardening, I have never seen so many bugs of any kind. HELP! I'll try to post a photo in a little while |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Based on just the description you gave lots of possibilities come to mind. Really need a picture or much more detailed description. Look up pictures of Blister Beetles and see if that is them. It's about time for them to appear, they work the way you describe but are bigger than lightening bugs and are all black. But that's just a guess. Dave |
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- Posted by Donna.in.Sask 2b (My Page) on Sat, Jul 26, 14 at 10:47
| I think Dave's on the right track. Looks up Three Stripe Blister beetle...it has black and tan markings. |
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- Posted by beth_b_kodiak zone 5a (My Page) on Sat, Jul 26, 14 at 12:22
| Oh my Gosh!!!!!! Yes, found pics of striped blister beetles and for sure that is the culprit. This is our first year here and there are hay fields all around us. These are nasty guys for sure. Only their sheer numbers prevented me from trying to squash them in my fingers. Sure glad I didn't do that. Thanks a bunch Dave and Donna the name helped direct me to a couple great photos for the ID. Yes, they are a bit bigger but have stripes that I was calling tan but the info calls it yellow. Thanks again for prompt reply and good info. Bethb |
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| Make note in your gardening journal of the arrival dates so you have that info for next year and can be on the look for them. After a few years in your location, with good notes, you'll know when to expect just about everybody. :) Also take the time to learn about their life cycle as it is very unusual. Dave PS: Spinosad is quite effective against them but keep in mind that they are also an effective control for grasshoppers as they eat the eggs. So if grasshoppers are a real problem for you and since you said you try to be organic shoot for a balanced control of them rather than eradication. The plants will tolerate some defoliation for their 2 week active cycle and still recover as long as the invasion is kept under control. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Blister Beetle Life Cycle
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| I have put hoops and tule fabric (a light fine netting) over my potatoes this year and it has reduced my need to patrol for bugs immensely. My hoops are black plastic piping (around 1" diameter) that comes in a roll so already the right shape. |
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- Posted by beth_b_kodiak zone 5a (My Page) on Sun, Jul 27, 14 at 8:17
| thanks again Dave. more great info. Yes, the grasshopper population is lower here than where I lived before. So that is a plus. Reading that they eat heavily for only about 2 weeks is small comfort as I think the garden would have been wiped out in about three days. nhbabs, seems like these critters emerge from the ground so netting over top would not be a good defense though useful for other varmints. |
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- Posted by tishtoshnm 6/NM (My Page) on Sun, Jul 27, 14 at 19:04
| Do all blister beetles eat grasshopper eggs? I have seen some of the larger, black blister beetles and I have a ton of grasshoppers. It would be nice to know that something out there is working on them while I wait for the Nolo bait to work. |
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