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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How do I keep my compost bin from breeding bugs?

I want to have a compost bin but my wife is (quite validly) concerned that it will be a bug factory. We already have a lot of gnats that drive her crazy. Any suggestions?
Clay Nichols
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Getting rid of fruit flies in the compost bin

A few weeks ago I put up a compost bin in my garden, similar to this one (bottomless and placed directly onto the soil). Soon after I began to use it, I noticed swarms of fruit flies inside. The first thing I added to my compost was shrub and other…
user149408
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Mint plant with white spots and black dots. Possible insect culprit

My mint plant has been getting white spots with black small dots all over it. I've cut them all down at some point, they always start to grow/sprout again perfectly without any spots, but soon enough the spots always reappear all over the…
cbdeveloper
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What are these yellow bugs and should I be worried?

I took a close look at one of my plants, and saw all these tiny yellow bugs. They don't seem to be hurting the plant, but I thought I'd ask to make sure. If it helps, this is in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Andres
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Bag worm infestation on small pine trees

I noticed that some of my small pine trees (4 ft.) started turning brown and upon closer inspection I noticed 100's of bag worms all over the trees. I spent quite a bit of time pulling off the bags. My questions are: If I just throw them on the…
Jason
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Why is no-one using my insect hotel?

Last year I bought an insect hotel at the local supermarket (see in the photo below on the right hand side). It was a cheap and simple one, but soon a lot of all different kind of bees came and occupied almost all places, laying eggs and covering…
elzell
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Dead flies around my Sansevieria

I have what I think is a Sansevieria trifasciata for about 3 months. It has been always in my room and this week I moved to a different apartment. Since I moved in to this new room, I've been finding every day some dozens of dead small flies on the…
pn_
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white pupae and larvae

Hi, I have just been in my garden planting some plants and I found these. I don't know if the larvae are the same as the pupae? The larvae are about 16mm long and the pupae about 10mm. The soil was quite damp but not wet as it was close to a pond.…
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How long is bacillus thuringiensis active?

A few weeks ago I sprayed my broccoli and bok choy plants with bacillus thuringiensis in an attempt to control caterpillar numbers. I'm pleased to see no new caterpillars (pieris rapae larvae) since then even though I have seen eggs laid on…
Graham Chiu
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Are these sunchoke insects friend or foe?

I've never seen many insects on my Jerusalem artichokes before but this year they seem to be plentiful. Are they pests? They do seem to be having a good time and there doesn't seem to be any leaf damage though those black spots look like insect…
Graham Chiu
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What is this big caterpillar in my yard?

Does anyone know what this big caterpillar is? It is bright yellow with kind of geometrical triangular grey strips on the back, and also black points. It is huge for the region: 5 to 7 centimetres long and maybe 1 centimetre large! I never saw this…
J. Chomel
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Who is this tan mosquito-like flying insect hanging on various tree leafs in zone 5 northeast USA?

I grow potted trees in zone 5 of northeastern USA and spend time watching the nature around them. I have been trying to learn more about the insects that frequent the plants, whether for good or bad. In early summer I was regularly seeing the insect…
cr0
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Need help identifying this beetle

I have a group of these beetles on my dill plants. They might be black lady bugs, but seem too small at only 5mm. A positive ID would help be know whether to let them be, or remove them.
Juno'sdad
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Why do I have a lot of dead flies on my Euphorbia Tirucalli?

Last winter as I was taking what I assume is a Euphorbia Tirucalli (unsure) inside, I noticed a large amount of flies clinging to many of the sticks. They were difficult to dislodge and I realized they were all dead. Have I incorrectly identified my…
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Why does my cactus have a weird white coating? What type of disease is it?

My cactus used to have white little rod like insects on it, and when I put some insecticide (added by liquid to the soil around it), the insects disappeared and it grew this weird coating, as shown in the picture. In addition, the other cactus (from…
Marina
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