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Can anyone help me identify this yellow bettle? I found it on my dill plant which is planted right next to my zucchini plants. I was worried it could be a squash beetle but it doesn't look like photos of the squash beetles online. Please help me figure out if it's a problem or not. Thank you!
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rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
Thanks Rainbow! I caught this little guy in a plastic cup, but in case he might be dangerous I will not release him. He was a sleep on the dill when I got him. I thought he was dead at first but then he started moving when I put him in the cup. I'm afraid he's going to have to get the death penalty for tresspassing. I'll check that link first though and wait a little bit to see if anyone recognizes him.
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rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
If you are right on that id, margined leatherwing, it sounds like it is a good guy:
They are frequently found nectaring at flowers and will be seen covered in pollen. They are excellent pollinators because of their habit of crawling around deep in the blooms, this causes large amounts of pollen to collect all over their body which they carry to the next plant they visit. They also feed on some insects and insect eggs. The larvae are predatory and feed on many types of insects, and are especially fond of corn earworms and corn borers. Their range includes the central and eastern United States.
https://mobugs.blogspot.com/2011/07/margined-leatherwing.html
They are frequently found nectaring at flowers and will be seen covered in pollen. They are excellent pollinators because of their habit of crawling around deep in the blooms, this causes large amounts of pollen to collect all over their body which they carry to the next plant they visit. They also feed on some insects and insect eggs. The larvae are predatory and feed on many types of insects, and are especially fond of corn earworms and corn borers. Their range includes the central and eastern United States.
https://mobugs.blogspot.com/2011/07/margined-leatherwing.html
Thanks for the specific name, Rainbow. I saw another one this morning and now I'm more certain this is it. I searched and found some more pictures here: https://www.insectsofwestvirginia.net/b/chauliognathus-marginatus.html
The second picture on that link doesn't have very dark spots and that is what the ones I have look like. That's good news that these are helpful bugs. I have plenty of butterfly eggs and other pests in my garden for them to eat.
The second picture on that link doesn't have very dark spots and that is what the ones I have look like. That's good news that these are helpful bugs. I have plenty of butterfly eggs and other pests in my garden for them to eat.