Blackish-reddish-brownish bugs on my Crysanthemums?

Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:57 pm

I was trimming off old buds on my mums today when I realized there are several little bugs on some of the stems.

Some are very small (aphid size), and others are much larger (black ant size). They are some combination of black red and brown (not spotted, just imagine mixing those colors together), they have six legs, and they kind of look like they're convulsing off and on because they jitter.

Does anyone know what they are? I've searched online and can't seem to find anything that looks like them. I live in north central Florida.

Thanks for any help!

Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:28 am

A picture would be helpful... but maybe baby ladybugs. They go through varying stages during the larva phase. I came across some pics of their growth cycle recently but can't remember where. But found this link -

http://www.ladybuglady.com/ladybugweb9.htm

Hope it helps. Keep us posted.

Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:27 pm

I'll see about getting a picture. I wish I could say they're ladybug larvae, but I don't think that's them at all.

Fri May 01, 2009 1:32 am

The pic would be good, but I think juls nailed it already. Aphids would attract ladybug larvae like a buffet attracts big beltlines. I bet that is what we are seeing here. Don't do a thing until we get pics; sounds like Mother Nature has your back...

HG

Fri May 01, 2009 3:53 pm

I uploaded picture onto shutterfly (easier for me than trying to figure it out on here). Let me know what your diagnosis is!

Thanks a lot!

http://coopsanddelilahspage.shutterfly.com/

Fri May 01, 2009 6:16 pm

Okay, bad news is no ladybugs. Good news is all aphids and that's easy...

Lady bugs are my favorite option...

http://gardeningzone.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=ladybugs&osCsid=a80bed381b09d41df9f5af096b0ecb52&x=7&y=10

Even that promo bag is likely enough for your few plants, and the issue will be eaten quickly...

Neem oil, Safers' Soap, lots of good organic ways to get rid of these guys including a blast from the hose. Just rinse them away. Repeat as necessary. This is not an issue yet and with minimal control it won't be. Just don't go hurting yourself or your planet with poisons; they won't work any better long term and they do more damage than most people know about...

HG