Friend Or Foe? Predators Of Eden

[InTheShed]

Could be Amy, thanks! Dead now though .

On the plus side, all the white flies have moved to Australia!

 

[Amy Gardner]

THe Wiki page - Nabidae (or Damsel Bug)

we had a glut of them early last season from some hay - got out of control and they became a problem momentarily. Mostly they’re a good garden bug - major predator.

 

[InTheShed]

Okay, got it! Next time I toss it outside. Damsel Bug.

 

[Pterostychus]

well done amy
sry i noticed this late

 

[Amy Gardner]

nothing fancy to it! I experienced plague like numbers of them early last season so i recognised it straight away

Thanks for keeping us on the radar Pt

 

[Mark Gordan Smith]

Hello, I do recall darkening your door in this fine thread many moons ago.

Whilst coming on real heavy with the shovel in preparing my 21yr untouched terrain for an outdoor grow I chanced upon a few of these evil looking things wiggling towards me no doubt with malice aforethought.
Should I invite them to stay for a drink or perhaps you savvy folk can suggest another course of action.

Not exactly beautiful like my Ladybugs are they.

 

[FelipeBlu]

Grubs - root eaters. No bueno.

Some say that they are tasty when roasted.

 

[Pterostychus]

junebug larva i guess

 

[Pterostychus]

essential for grasslands ecosystem, a plague for (cash)crops

 

[Mark Gordan Smith]

I do thank you for the enlightenment.
All is revealed.

Stay well, Mark.

 

[Amy Gardner]

Thanks Pt Hi Mark!

They’re pretty ugly for sure!

Some say that they are tasty when roasted

They do look like a grub we get here that is an (apparently) edible one - “borers”, they live inside tree trunks and can bring down a forest!

 

[FelipeBlu]

Highya @Pterostychus , @Amy Gardner , and other fellow growers!

I hope you’re all doing well. I’m seeing quite a few of these, and hardly any aphids this year. Isn’t this a soldier beetle? They are a great predator to have around.

 

[Amy Gardner]

Hi Felipe! It look likes one to me - just via a google search I haven’t had one of those that I’m aware of. It would account for the low aphid count for sure

 

[Pterostychus]

yup soldier beetle

 

[FelipeBlu]

They are doing a great job! Are the larvae ~2mm and black?

 

[Amy Gardner]

larvae

Soldier Beetles of Kentucky - University of Kentucky Entomology

they are black it seems... that doesnt say how long, but i only looked briefly.

 

[FelipeBlu]

Hmmm, that’s not what I’m seeing - the photo on that site looks kinda like a caterpillar. What I’m seeing looks like a miniature click beetle. I’ll see if I can get a picture.

 

[FelipeBlu]

I’m back @Pterostychus

I finally got a few photos of the insect in question. Based on their behavior and general shape, I think they might be young soldier beetles. They certainly prowl both sides of each leaf, and poke into the apical bunches, like they’re on the hunt. I’ve left them alone, since I’m not seeing them stop and molest the vegetation.

 

[Amy Gardner]

They dont seem to be damaging the plant so I’m gonna say friend! Unles the numbers get out of hand of course.

 

[Obi 1]

Who knows what would have hatched from these?