What is this ugly thing.

[Franco]

I was checking on my tomatoes and on one of the top leaves of a plant had this bug on it. I know it's a bad picture I took it with my cell phone camera becuase my dad's digitial camera was getting fixed. It doesn't move very fast. I drew a picture so you get a better feel. And lastly is this harmful??
It sits on a translucent disk looking thing that is part of its body.


[img]https://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/DaRealFranzy/Image041.jpg[/img]


[img]https://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/DaRealFranzy/bug.jpg[/img]
the blue word says "feet?"

[opabinia51]

Well there are insects that look similar to the picture that you posted but, the picture is quite blury so, it's tough to tell what it is.

Your drawing leads me to believe that you have an insect there.

[Franco]

I want to know what it is so I can prevent him from calling his little buddies to chow. I saw it crawl so I know it's alive.

[garden_mom]

Does it have any antennae, is it scaly or soft? Is it flat brown or are there other colors?

[opabinia51]

I don't think it will pose any problem Franco. If memory serves, these guys eat other insects. The cryptic colouration and body design function for two puposes

a) to hide from predators
b) to surprise prey

[Franco]

Thanks, opa.

[opabinia51]

No worries.