Can someone help me identify this bug on my tomatoes?

[Pony]

I have also seen them on my sage, but now they are on my tomatoes. What little tomatoes I do have ;).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2695054265_b571fa6b08.jpg?v=0

I was getting good looking grape tomatoes, but recently they have been looking like this
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2695871250_d5ec780905.jpg?v=0
and the plant is just about dead. :rolleyes:

THANKS!
Michelle

[Beth]

I don't know if the bug is the cause of the plant problems -- I have seen them around my house, and I think DS may have identified them during his bug collection project last fall. He's at a conference this week, but I can ask him later. I think all the bug books were from the library -- but we might have bought one. I will look and see if I find anything.

[donleyk]

Here is a thread that might help. Click on the cucumber beetle link for photos of common bugs. http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=119052&highlight=bugs

HTH

[Beth]

The cucumber beetle link didn't open for me, but I know it isn't one of those and I'm running late. I looked at another link and didn't see it. I'm thinking the bug pictured is one that eats other bugs. I'll look when I get back.

[lindrusso]

I'm not seeing it anywhere either. Maybe it's not a "bad" pest after all.

I need to check my garden for goodies today, but it's pouring rain. I might at least run out and check the zucchini so that I don't end up with another 15-incher!

[Pony]

Thanks! Beth, I got a kick out of your son's project being something that can help the boards, ha! I tried looking this morning on line, but I was eating breakfast and it was not the time to look for bugs on line ;). I sure hope it is a good bug, b/c there seems to be a hoard of them.

[Pony]

Here is a thread that might help. Click on the cucumber beetle link for photos of common bugs. http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=119052&highlight=bugs

HTH

donleyk, thanks for the link. I remember that thread. It isn't the cucumber beetle and I looked at the other links and could not find the bug. It almost looks like a bigger ant w/ a orange/red back with small black spots. I looked at the Harlequin bug that Meganator thought hers might be, but it isn't that either.

ETA: the legs also remind me of mosquito legs.

[Beth]

What I was thinking of was an assasin bug. There are no pictures in DS's book, but I found this (http://http://whatsthatbug.com/assassin.html) on line. If you scroll down, you will see some varieties with the orange bodies. They are predators that eat other insects. If that's what you have, they are probably feeding off something else that is killing the plant (mites or something small you may not easily see -- along with the heat and no rain.

Hope that helps.

[charley]

Don't know the name, but it seems like one of the good guys. I've never found any damage from them in my yard.

[bobmark226]

What I was thinking of was an assasin bug.

It is.

http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpaper/Nature/Bugs/ThreadLeggedAssassinBug.jpg

[DmOrtega]

http://www.ivyhall.district96.k12.il.us/4th/kkhp/1insects/assassin.html

Assasin bugs are carnivorous. The bugs they are eating are probably what is hurting the plants. Birds prey on the Assasin bugs. I'd encourage birds into the yard to help balance the bug population.


Assassin bugs get their name because of the speed that they have to grab and poison their prey. They are carnivorous, or meat eaters, and use their powerful, jack-knife forelegs to grab their prey. They have sticky pads on these front legs, made up of thousands of tiny hairs, that stick to their victims and keep them from getting away. Some assassin bugs actively hunt their prey, while others patiently wait until their prey comes close enough to grab.

[Pony]

Thanks eveyone. So, what is the best way to find out what is wrong with my tomato plants or what is eating them? Should I just take samples to the extension office? Alysha, did you ever hear back from the extension office?

Thanks!
Michelle

[lindrusso]

Thanks eveyone. So, what is the best way to find out what is wrong with my tomato plants or what is eating them? Should I just take samples to the extension office? Alysha, did you ever hear back from the extension office?

Thanks!
Michelle

Well, I did, but not until quite a bit later - the guy must have been on vacation or something. By the time he got a look at my sample, it had deteriorated and he wasn't quite sure what it was. Next time I'll know not to drop it off, but to try to talk to him in person (like call ahead and see if he's in).

Good luck!

My plants are still huge (several are falling over) and I can find some tomatoes on them, but none look even close to ripening.

Uh, oh......it's been two days since I've been down to the garden again.....there's probably more monster zucchini waiting for me. Would it be bad if I just chucked them off into the weeds? :o

[Beth]

Take a look under the leaves and around the plant to see if you can tell why the other bugs are there. If they weren't getting fed, they would leave. Use a magnifying glass if you have one -- you might need them to spot some mites, etc. If you can't see anything, pinch off some leaves and take them to a gardening store, extension offiice or a friendly master gardener if you have one around.

[luv2cook]

i had those. dish soap mixed w water sprayed on there worked great 4

[Pony]

Uh, oh......it's been two days since I've been down to the garden again.....there's probably more monster zucchini waiting for me. Would it be bad if I just chucked them off into the weeds? :o

Yes, that would be bad. ;) Coming from someone who got NO zucchini this year. ;)



Take a look under the leaves and around the plant to see if you can tell why the other bugs are there. If they weren't getting fed, they would leave. Use a magnifying glass if you have one -- you might need them to spot some mites, etc. If you can't see anything, pinch off some leaves and take them to a gardening store, extension offiice or a friendly master gardener if you have one around.

I found another bug on the plant, but can't find it in any of the links people posted on the thread donleyk mentioned. I need to see if I can find it again and get my camera.

[lindrusso]

Yes, that would be bad. ;) Coming from someone who got NO zucchini this year. ;)

But I don't think I can eat. anymore. zucchini. So what's your address? :p

Off to walk the dog and check the garden.

What would REALLY be nice it to see a little less green (zucchini and cucumbers) and a little red (peppers and tomatoes).