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04 Oct 2011 • 107 views
 
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photoblog image Mystery Beetle

Mystery Beetle

I am wondering if anyone can identify this beetle. It is enjoying the tomatillas as well as coriander seeds in my garden.

 

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Doris Day - Que Sera Sera

 

Insects always play a part on An Island Walk.

Mystery Beetle

I am wondering if anyone can identify this beetle. It is enjoying the tomatillas as well as coriander seeds in my garden.

 

Right Click to Play:

Doris Day - Que Sera Sera

 

Insects always play a part on An Island Walk.

comments (15)

  • Ray
  • Thailand
  • 4 Oct 2011, 02:39
A squadron of Saucy Mexicans, Mary...time to leave home!
Mary MacADNski: I think I am going to harvest the tomatillas today as we are getting two days of wind - tonight 60-80 km and tomorrow 80-100 km per hour. The bugs will be blown next door.
Brown marmorated stink bug (?) I was going to say it's in the harlequin bug family, but after checking a few sites I offer this: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/page/2/?s=harlequin&searchsubmit_x=0&searchsubmit_y=0 I've not been able to confirm on any other site, though. This site says to "destroy them immediately" smile
Mary MacADNski: I've followed your findings and you are correct. It is in the harlequin stinkbug family. It grows on brassicas and cruciferas and I've grown neither but they also like sunflowers of which I have a ton. They obviously like tomotillas and cilantro. Perhaps I should open a jar of salsa verde and invite them for supper.

Thanks so much for identifying this.
  • Chris
  • England
  • 4 Oct 2011, 08:23
No idea Mary but it really does look as if they have convened a meeting to discuss eating the entire contents of your garden
Mary MacADNski: There certainly were lots of them.
no idea, they seem to have funny faces
Mary MacADNski: Elizabeth identified it as a harlequin stink but and harlequins are meant to be funny so that could be the origin of the name.
Anything called a stink bug is to be discouraged Marygrin
Mary MacADNski: I will make sure not to crush one.
  • Alan
  • United Kingdom
  • 4 Oct 2011, 12:51
Goodness! They look like they mean business; turn your back for a second and they will probably eat your house!
Mary MacADNski: I think you're right. I've just come from the garden and they're everywhere.
They're ugly critters...never heard of tomatillos smile I googled them, but they're not familiar to me at all...
Mary MacADNski: If you have had salsa verde or any green Mexican salsas then you've had them.
  • Chad Doveton
  • Where latitude and longitude meet.
  • 4 Oct 2011, 14:07
I cannot help at all I'm afraid Mary. I like the picture though.
Mary MacADNski: Thanks, Chad. I think they've taken over the garden. Elizabeth identified them correctly.
A fine shot and at least we all know what they are thanks to Elizabeth.
Mary MacADNski: Yes! I am pleased she had the idea to look at stinkbugs. I am familiar with them but they are always shield shaped. I never thought for a moment that the young ones were shaped differently.
Holy moly, Mary. Those are the last dinner guests you would want to invite to sample your tomatillos. Hope the nasty things didn't do too much damage.

They do, however, contrast beautifully with that stunning shade of green.
Mary MacADNski: I've just come in from harvesting tomatoes, beets and tomatillas. I have to harvest sunflowers too as we are having 60 - 80 km winds tonight and 80 - 100 km. winds tomorrow. There were lots of these bugs on the stalks and stems but not on the husks like they are in the photo. They are also in the echinasea.
  • Linda
  • United Kingdom
  • 4 Oct 2011, 15:51
They are lovely looking beetles on the lovely shade of green but by the sounds of it, they are not to welcome smile
Mary MacADNski: It doesn't matter so much this time of year when growth is done but they can kill a plant so earlier in the season, they would not be good at all. I will check carefully next spring and summer and hand pick them off.
  • lisl
  • England
  • 4 Oct 2011, 17:30
This is just the sort of picture I really enjoy. I chewed by mistake on a bug a bit like this - it was on a raspberry and I didn't see it. Dreadful taste, and peppery after-effects!
Mary MacADNski: That would probably be a stink bug. You can taste them sometimes even after they have walked on the fruit beforehand.
Some sort of bug. Nice picture though!
Mary MacADNski: Well, I am glad to have them identified. They are rain-soaked today and perhaps the wind will blow them somewhere else.
What a wonderful picture Mary. The green color is great.
Mary MacADNski: Thanks, Frances. It's like a spring green isn't it.
Spring green, apple,...is the earth planet?. I like it very much, Mary. Salud
Mary MacADNski: It is a planet to these insects.

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