good bug, bad bug?

Discussion in 'Plant Pests, Diseases and Weeds' started by carolyn, Aug 22, 2012.

  1. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    I have never seen this one before. Have you? is it good or bad? I am guessing good, but that means NOTHING as I have no idea what it is.

    [​IMG]
    ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )
     
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  3. Netty

    Netty Chaotic Gardener Plants Contributor

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    I don't know what it is, but I'll be watching this thread with great interest. I have hundreds of these bugs this year!!
     
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  4. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    My first guess at this ID is a yellow longhorn beetle, Strangalia maculata but I am only 60% sure. Not good enough for a positive ID. The search continues........

    Jerry
     
  5. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    O.K. 98.72% this time, goldenrod soldier bug, Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus. Good enough for a positive. Oh, they eat pollen and perhaps small insects like aphids.....so it is a good bug. No plants.

    Jerry
     



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  6. thepondlady

    thepondlady In Flower

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    Looks like the borer beetle that kills my Locust Trees. BAD BUG.
     
  7. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I just looked it up in one of my books for you. Jerry you're spot on it is a Goldenrod Soldier Bug. Great ID!! :D
     
  8. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Well, Thank you Jerry and Eileen. I have never seen one and happened to be going out to get the picture of the shed and it landed right on the rudbeckia as I was standing there.
     
  9. MChester

    MChester New Seed

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    Agree with you! :-D Soldier beetles are not considered pests.
     

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