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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Bright Yellow Spider with spots/lines

Trying to identify this little guy I found crawling around outside (Pittsburgh, PA area). It is a bright yellow spider with black spots and lines on it. The only thing I turned up in my searches was the Yellow Crab Spider, but I did not see any…
Skooba
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Insect identification

The other day I noticed a large concentration of these insects hanging around my squash plants. What are they? Are they a pest I should be concerned about?
emersonthis
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Any idea why bees are rooting around in our new potting soil in our outdoor raised beds?

This isn’t bothering us at all, just curious… We assembled a raised bed on our back deck in Washington, DC a few days ago. We used peat-free Organic Mechanics container blend potting soil. Then these cute little fuzzy bees started rooting around in…
Emily Beth
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Identify these insects hiding under compost

I use a layer of compost as mulch, but every time I water, millions of tiny insects start jumping all over the place. Is it possible to identify them as I'm not sure if they're decomposing the organic matter or hurting the…
ammoun
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What are these small black flecks on my brussels sprouts?

I've been battling aphids all summer and they were ruthless to all my brassica plants. It's the beginning of October and they seem to have backed off of my kale (what's left of it), but I've still been finding them on my brussels sprouts. I was out…
emersonthis
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holes in bell pepper

I'm at Seattle. Recently, I found holes on our bell pepper even when it's small.. Any ideas on what caused it? There're also some holes on leaves too, but not a lot. Shall I buy some oil or insect killer? Thanks
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Yellowish spots under and above the leaves

What are these yellowish spots under and above the bell pepper plant? And I can see black ants around these spots.
joble
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What are these eggs?

These were on a tomato leaf in my garden. The closest match I found on Google Images was ladybug eggs, which looked similar but did not have the white rings at the top. Is this just another species of ladybug or another insect altogether?
crmdgn
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Are moles effective at controlling Japanese beetle grubs?

My garden is under assault this summer by Japanese beetles from above, and moles from below. From my research, Japanese beetles lay their eggs a few inches underground, and moles are voracious insectivores. I've been hand-picking the beetles every…
alexw
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What insect is this?

This bug appeared overnight in my backyard. I’m in southern Arizona USA. What is it?
user17485
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What is this bug skeletonizing some of my tomato leaves?

This insect is causing minor damage to tomato leaves in my garden. Critter is mostly black with tan wing suit around the periphery. The wing suit is not between the legs which it extends as required to move. Body about 5mm diameter (it is quite…
Colin Beckingham
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Possible pest identification on Weeping Blue Atlas cedar

Location is Portland, Oregon, USA. We have a blue atlas cedar that's at least 20 years old. It was recently pruned (by an arborist) and now the needles are turning brown. To check for insect pests we shook the branches over a sheet of white…
Jim Garrison
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Please help me in identifying this beautiful insect

This beautiful looking comuflaging insect on my Chameli plant. What it could be?
Muddassar
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Tomato plant's leaves have white lines on them

This is my first time gardening, and I noticed the other day, one of my tomato plant's leave started looking a bit odd. I haven't fertilized any of the plants yet, as this is my first time, and I honestly don't know when the right time to do so is.…
Pamela
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Treating a wasp nest

We have a wasp nest in a very awkward position. It is in the side top of the roof above the porch. I have attached some images showing where the nest is. There is a window next to the nest but not very close, it would be a struggle to get some…
user29514