harlequin bug
scientific name: Murgantia histrionica
As I am a little obsessive in the way I fuss over my garden lately, I run across new bugs all the time. This one is so handsome I was hoping it was a beneficial insect and I wouldn’t have to put it in the stomp category.
Since it was dining very determinedly on my kale, however, I knew it wouldn’t be good news. It’s a harlequin bug and it sucks the juice out of plant matter, preferring the brassicas but will also attack tomatoes, potatoes, and many other home garden favorites in a pinch.
They can be hand-picked and/or controlled with insecticidal soap.
You can read more about them here.
Crushing these may be tough on you Bengals fans. Less so if you’re from Pittsburg.
TL
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LOL!!! I’m wearing my orange crocs with my Bengals jibbits right now! =)
I love the Latin name! Hopefully it doesn’t have any correlation to your, or any other, readers’ actions upon finding one of these guys in the garden!
I don’t know if I am just being more observant this year or if new species are showing up in my garden. Several times a week I am googling to find out if I should be squishing a bug. I probably should invest in Good Bug Bad Bug. What are your favorite resources?
Stephanie–My favorite thing is to go to the Dave’s Garden Insect Identification Forum. They have some real insect hounds who frequent the site and they know their bugs. They also have a large directory of photos.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/bugid/all/
Ha!
I would like to know the origins of that name assignment!
I’m pretty cool with this bug. It’s those darn squash bugs I get hysterical about . . . okay, this is the last time I mention them for at least a week . . .
Okay! I had to look up jibbits! Now I understand! I love it!