Harlequin Bug

by Tomato Lady on 07/09/2009

in Garden

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



{ 2 trackbacks }

Harlequin Bug | Gardening Tips and Info
07/09/2009 at 3:27 am
Horace Austin Warner Tabor at Compsognathus
07/10/2009 at 10:59 am

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

1 nancy 07/09/2009 at 6:55 am

LOL!!! I’m wearing my orange crocs with my Bengals jibbits right now! =)

2 Kat 07/09/2009 at 2:18 pm

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!

3 Stephanie 07/09/2009 at 3:17 pm

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?

4 Tomato Lady 07/09/2009 at 6:05 pm

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/

5 Tomato Lady 07/09/2009 at 6:14 pm

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 . . .

6 Tomato Lady 07/09/2009 at 6:17 pm

Okay! I had to look up jibbits! Now I understand! I love it!

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