Re: Picture of bug, what is it? - ANSWER
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Picture of bug, what is it? - ANSWER
- From: G* P*
- Date: Fri, 12 May 2000 23:07:04 EDT
- List-Archive: <http://www.mallorn.com/lists/pumpkins/> (Web Archive)
>The picture is not the best in the world but if you look closely you can
>still see the four golden dots on it's back and that it is black in color
>all over except for the dots. Anyone have a clue what it is? and is it
>harmful or good? The bug does not fit the description of a cucumber beetle
>though, so i am not sure what it is.
>Any info on it would be much more than i know about it
>thanks casey
>
>
>Casey Neuville
>Amherst Jct., WI
>personal best-339 in 98
>
Casey....O.K., first....
This is NOT a cucumber beetle in any way, shape, or form. If anyone has a
book which lists it as such, get a refund from wherever you bought the book.
Although the shape is sort of close, no cuke beetle would have only 4 spots,
and light ones at that.
Also, it is NOT a squash bug. Squash bugs are roundish, (no distinct thorax
like this one), and have 7 dark spots on each wing cover. Not even close.
Now....the ANSWER....
The insect you have is a predatory ground beetle called Bembidion
quadrimaculatum, ("quadrimaculatum" actually means "four spots"), and is a
VERY BENEFICIAL insect which you would NOT want to kill off, as others here
told you to do! They feed on insect eggs and small insects on the soil
surface, they sometimes like to hide in cracks in the soil and under leaves
and debris. The larvae live in the soil and are also beneficial predators.
How beneficial are they? One example is that in field tests B.
quadrimaculatum has been shown to reduce onion maggot damage by as much as
50% when they are present. (Not specific to curcurbits, but still shows the
impact beneficials can have on pests). They are very sensitive to
insecticides, as many as 90% of the local population can be killed by a
single application of insecticide.... another reason why using these
chemicals indiscrimitatly is not good. (To say the least). They get to be
about 1/8 inch long, about the same length as yours.
Well, anyway, there is the answer to your mystery insect. If you want a
picture of it I'll send one off to you, (or anyone else). Just let me know.
Hope I was of some help.
-Steve
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