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Help identify this bug?

greenpenguin

Active member
At first I thought they were spider mites but they seem a bit big to be spider mites. Any ideas?
I'm growing outdoors so my plants are flowering. I cut off the affected leaves and burned them with fire.
20220826_191954.jpg
 

Loc Dog

Hobbies include "drinkin', smokin' weed, and all k
Veteran
Correct, too big for spider mites. Suggest a USB microscope, and magnifying glass for now. You can take pictures with the microscope.

Just looked around a little and see nothing like them. Is this North America???
 
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greenpenguin

Active member
Correct, too big for spider mites. Suggest a USB microscope, and magnifying glass for now. You can take pictures with the microscope.

Just looked around a little and see nothing like them. Is this North America???
Yes this is North America, on the west coast
 

Loc Dog

Hobbies include "drinkin', smokin' weed, and all k
Veteran
I just scrolled through hundreds of bug and nymph pictures and found nothing. I am guessing from asia.
 

Loc Dog

Hobbies include "drinkin', smokin' weed, and all k
Veteran
Thanks for trying, yeah I spent a ton of time on google images trying to figure it out too
If this is Canada, closest I found was tarnished plant bug nymph, maybe in transition. If you had microscope and could take picture of one, could try google image search. If you find more throw a leaf into a jar, and wait to see if it becomes something else.

 

Creeperpark

Well-known member
Mentor
Veteran
Wow, those are carpet beetles and it's kind of unusual to see them on plants. Boric acid, a mild insecticide, is lethal on carpet beetles. I have never used it or know how to use Boric acid and not recommending it because spreading boric acid on the ground is disastrous to soil chemistry.

Spray your plants down with a jet spray of "water only" for a few days a see it that will run them off first. If that fails you could try some cold press neem mixed with a drop of soap and spray the underside of the leaves. 😎
 
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Woven

Member
Wow, those are carpet beetles and it's kind of unusual to see them on plants. Boric acid, a mild insecticide, is lethal on carpet beetles. I have never used it or know how to use Boric acid and not recommending it because spreading boric acid on the ground is disastrous to soil chemistry.

Spray your plants down with a jet spray of "water only" for a few days a see it that will run them off first. If that fails you could try some cold press neem mixed with a drop of soap and spray the underside of the leaves. 😎
I spent an hour looking for images that matched those that were provided and only thing close enough was a carpet beetle. (y)
 

Growenhaft

Active member
the animals shown do not count among the beetles. these animals are in any case mites... namely those that belong to the family of predatory mites. they are positive for your plant and fight pests... namely those who are responsible for your damages. predatory mites do not like vegetarian food... that's why your plants are safe... they like aphid spider mites thrips... prefers the offspring.
 

FletchF.Fletch

Well-known member
420club
Flea Beetles maybe. Several species out there, so there is a range of sizes. They love Eggplant leaves which is where I've seen them. They hop straight up if disturbed hence the name. Could be Carpet Beetles like @Creeperpark said. BT var. k or Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki is your Organic Beetle defense.

Wait, now I've zoomed in Harlequin Bug i think.
 

xet

Active member
Your soil absolutely lacks adequate carbohydrates and very likely calcium.

Run a molasses compost tea. All plants with a sufficient BRIX level will produce their own natural pesticides. I have never not once ever in my life had a bug issue. Not once. I started gardening when I was 3 so I learned some critical things early on.

Some additional reading

 
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