Strange bugs

[Jean L.]

I noticed this this morning while watering my plants. This is a vinca, and on just one leaf, there was this cluster of bugs. I've never seen anything like this before. Does anyone know what they are - should I kill them, or are they beneficial?

 

[Chuck]

I noticed this this morning while watering my plants. This is a vinca, and on just one leaf, there was this cluster of bugs. I've never seen anything like this before. Does anyone know what they are - should I kill them, or are they beneficial?

Those are baby-leaf-footed stinkbugs. Kill them immediately. Check the rest of your plants for clusters of eggs and smash them. On flowering plants these bugs are vectors of disease. On vegetables they damage fruit.

 

[Marck]

I agree, clean up as many as you can find. You won't get them all but it is prudent to reduce their numbers. They can damage a wide variety of plants. You can knock them off into a small bucket of soap and water.

The eggs of the leaf-footed bugs (Leptoglossus spp.) are laid in a rows and look like small brown sticks on leaves or stems. You might find the empty egg case of this brood near by, since they have not dispersed yet.

Here is an entertaining and informative article about them:

Leaffooted lovers: Leptoglossus spp. — Bug of the Week

As summer turns to fall, many insects with gradual metamorphosis, those with nymphs rather than larvae as juveniles, become adults and are more easily seen as the larger adults. This spawns a spate of requests from curious citizens to answer the question “what’s this bug?” In previous autumn episode

bugoftheweek.com

 

[Jean L.]

Those are baby-leaf-footed stinkbugs. Kill them immediately. Check the rest of your plants for clusters of eggs and smash them. On flowering plants these bugs are vectors of disease. On vegetables they damage fruit.

Thank you for your prompt response. I tried to remove the leaf with the bugs still on it, but as soon as they noticed movement, they started to scatter. I managed to get most of them with the leaf, but a few escaped. I then sprayed the plant with insecticide. I'll be keeping a close watch on this plant especially, but also on my other plants. I don't grow any vegetables, so I don't have to worry about that. Thanks again.