Questions tagged [insects]

Six-legged arthropods

Arguably the most successful group of animals to have existed, and they will significantly out number all other groups of animal in your garden. Most insects are benign, although some (eg. aphids, and hornworm larvae) can be pests. Similarly, many are encouraged as predators to eat those that are considered pests (e.g. Ladybugs and lacewings).

Insects typically have six legs, although larvae are an obvious exception. Similarly, most are capable of flight although not necessarily in all stages of growth.

Use this tag for questions about insects in the garden or landscape. For an unknown insect, also add the tag and include a photo. For questions about controlling insects, add the tag.

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What is eating my bay plant?

I have a young bay tree in a pot, which I received from my parents. It lives outside on a South-East Facing balcony. For a long time after my parents gave it to me (maybe 8 months ago?) it didn't seem to be growing at all, and various of the…
Brondahl
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What type of caterpillar is black with a white arrow on its back?

I was out looking at the apple tree today to see if I have any fruit forming yet. not this year it seems, but then I find a caterpillar sitting on a leaf, and it looks like it's floating on it. What type of caterpillar is this?
black thumb
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Can I make an insect hotel from sticks that blew down in a windstorm?

Will taking a lot of dead twigs blown down from a windstorm, and tossing them in a pile create the cover required for an insect hotel?
black thumb
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What is the name of this beetle, and is he eating my squash plant?

What is the name of this little beetle? As you can see in the bottom right, the leaves of my two week old squash plant have big gaping holes with bite marks in them. Could he and his friends be the ones that have been devouring my plant basically…
IQAndreas
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Insect identification: black, flightless, ant-like, with exaggerated abdomen

This insect was found just north of Washington, D.C., in mid April. It resembles a large black ant with an especially large abdomen, and lacks developed wings. What is it?
Nick Barry
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Why is my gardenia covered with flies, ants, and other insects?

Why are insects of all kinds covering my gardenia?
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My potting soil is being overrun by soil insects. How do I get rid of them?

I am having a hard time getting rid of insects in my potting soil. My plants are droopy. I have applied a good amount of diatomaceous earth to all of them, even to the roots, but these insects don't seem to want to leave. They are white and very…
user272671
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What are these beetles/spiders on my Sambuca plant?

Can anyone recognize these beetles/spiders on the below picture, which are all over my Sambuca plant? Hires picture here. I have just sprayed them with ECOstyle LuseFri insect soap mixed with Neem oil, in an act of panic, when I saw it. Is that the…
Jasmine Lognnes
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How to handle insects in standing water

Here in Texas, we've been getting an unusual amount of rain. Large parts of my yard have been having a hard time trying to dry out, with some visible water standing just below the grass level. I've noticed some areas are getting a bit "scummy", and…
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Black/Brown Basil

After noticing a few Japanese beetles on my basil plants, I used the recommended dish soap and water solution and sprayed the plants. All 3 of them turned black or brown within a day or so. I cut them all back, and they are doing well again, except…
Sheila B
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Symmetrical brown dots on camellia leaves

Help please. I’m located in the Pacific Northwest USA. I just noticed that much of the new growth on my (old) established camellia shrub has these odd brownish dots. Only 2-4 dots per leaf, all located on the underside and near the stem base. The…
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Cherry disease identification

Cherry Tree is Sick I have a cherry tree that was planted 3 years ago. It is a hybrid of three different species (one branch is native, the two other are not). The tree looked healthy and did grow relatively fast for a couple of season. This spring…
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White spots on my bushes

I was trimming my bushes today and I came upon these spots on several of the bushes. They look like they're largely at the junctures, and are even on one bush that I think died last year. Image searches are suggesting insect eggs. I don't know the…
Sean Duggan
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White bumps on carambola (starfruit) stems - pest or infection?

I have a small carambola that is growing indoors in a pot. I've noticed recently that it has tiny white bumps distributed unevenly on the upper stems. What are they: an insect infestation? A fungal infection? Or is it possible this is a natural part…
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What are these insects on my Japanese maple tree?

I live in Sweden and have a Japanese maple tree in a pot on my balcony. This October I saw maybe hundreds of small insects on my tree which I believe caused the leaves to crumble and fall. Which to me indicates that these insects are draining my…
Thea
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