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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Is this beetle on my apricot tree a pest?

My apricot tree is infested with black and white beetles on the branches. They are 2-3 cm / 1 inch long. I can't find an identification on the web. There is no visible damage to the tree. Is this beetle a pest? Should I be removing them? My location…
Jonathan
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What kind of black and yellow insect has a zebra like pattern?

Can anyone help me identify a insect with the following features: black and yellow long feelers body is tapered toward the back zebra like pattern on the shell about 1.5 inches long found in central Texas Here's what it looks like:
Travis Northcutt
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Can anybody identify these small, red insects?

What kind of bugs are these? Are they good or bad for plants? Do they bite?
xpda
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How effective are row covers in preventing insects?

Has anyone ever used row covers (floating or built on a "structure", such as a PVC cage) to help prevent/discourage insects? How effective are they?
Michael Todd
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What insect eats petals and what can I do to kill it?

My geraniums loved being outside the front window of my house. They've been thriving there for over two months now and I thought I'd finally found a winner (it's too hot for pansies and other daintier plants). Now they're getting eaten alive. I've…
Michael Todd
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Is it too late for row cover to help with insects?

Last year I used row covers on PVC frames to effectively keep cabbage worms off my broccoli and cabbage. I put the covers on in spring as soon as I put the seedlings in the ground, and then took them off when the plants were larger. There were some…
bstpierre
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What is this white grub I found in my soil in southern England?

I found a white grub about an inch long, in my soil. At first I thought it looked like a wide, white prawn. It's not the long thin one with the brown head that I've seen online. I'm having trouble identifying it, or working out how to go about…
Singletoned
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Are fire ants on okra plants a concern?

I've noticed fire ants crawling on my okra plants, particularly where new okra are starting to grow. However, the okra does not seem to be harmed. Is this something I should be concerned about?
Travis Northcutt
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Are these primary or secondary verbena pests?

I posted before about the powdery mildew affecting my verbena plants. I have now observed that some leaves have died, and small (1 mm or less) insects are present. They're mobile so not eggs, white and not obviously winged so they may be a larval…
Graham Chiu
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Compost pile and bugs (2 questions)

First insect question: When I turned our compost pile yesterday, there was a lot of very rich smelling black soil, semi composted vegetables/plant/oak leaf matter, and a LOT of pill bugs. My wife said, "They're doing their job well." Are pill bugs…
Mr. Anderson
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What are these insects on my pepper plants?

They seem to have come out of nowhere in the past week.
brandon
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What can I plant to attract butterflies and other pollinators in Minnesota?

A lot of plants can pollinate themselves. Fruits: Tomatoes, Strawberries Vegetables: Peppers, Eggplant, Snap Beans, Lima Beans, Lettuce, Endive, Peas, Cabbage, Broccoli, Beets, Kohlrabi Other: Chicory, Oats, Wheat, Barley, Dill, Lentils Some…
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How can I handle a cricket problem without using pesticides?

I have a problem with crickets eating my seedlings and young plants. I have found very little information on keeping crickets away, as this doesn't seem to be a problem for most people. Without resorting to synthetic chemical pesticides, how can I…
GeneratorHalf
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Killing fruit flies without pesticides?

We currently have bowls of apple-cider vinegar set out, and the flies are definitely attracted to them but very few are actually ending up IN the vinegar. Mostly they are just sitting on the bowl. What are other pesticide-free ways of killing fruit…
beta
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Will growing Garlic in a garden keep insects away?

I was reading about how Garlic keeps insects away, and was wondering if just growing garlic in the garden will keep insects like Mosquitoes away.
black thumb
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