From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Williamsburg,KY

I have noticed Assasin Bugs or Ambush Bugs in my patch. They are not squash bugs. So should I worry about these?

7/4/2010 8:59:29 AM

Navarre,OH

You should welcome them to your patch. They eat about anything that moves. I have been seeing them appear all of a sudden and I have never seen them in my garden. Been seeing lots of dead cucumber beetles and squash beetles with little single holes in them from the assasin bugs. Actually seen one yesterday sucking a squash bug dry when I was getting ready to spray neem oil.

7/4/2010 9:39:10 AM

The bottom of New Jersey

Assasin bugs are very cool and should be encouraged to live in your patch. I have seen them eating bumblebees before, so they are virtually fearless insect eaters. I've also read that they can bite you when they become adults if they are provoked, but I've never had one do that to me.

7/4/2010 12:51:00 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Well, thats a relief. I did read some on these bugs and read they suck the juice out of other insects. I have found some dead bees and wondered if it was my insecticides or the ambush bugs. We've noticed them the past two years on my front porch. Would love to see one getting a squash bug! Thanks for the replies.

7/4/2010 8:05:37 PM

Anchorage, Alaska

They showed up around here in the last week, too. Haven't seen them kill anything yet but they do lots of lounging on my leaves.

7/5/2010 6:05:53 PM

Navarre,OH

Funny all this talk about assasin bugs and what pumpkinjesus said. Today one speared my ankle when I was burying some vines. Hurt like a SOB. Hurt as bad as a bee. I was quite pissed but I couldn't bring myself to killing it. There are dead cucumber beetles and squash bugs all over the place. For that he can have a taste of my blood. lmao

7/5/2010 10:47:52 PM

Middle TN

they sound like lil vampires! lol what do they look like?

7/6/2010 12:41:31 AM

Navarre,OH

The ones in my garden look like this. http://bugguide.net/images/cache/NRYKARFK3RX0Q090FQ80OQ70CQ70CQ20R060CQRQARJKFQHQ3RQQH0KQYRMQ00IQS0IQVRRQARHQCQYKBRJKARRQJQ

Garden is also full of these also.
http://www.ent.iastate.edu/images/coleoptera/cantharidae/soldier_beetle_2.jpg

Very common in the garden. Great friends like assasin bugs.

7/6/2010 10:16:28 AM

Middle TN

Thanks Billium, I tried to google it and got 50 different bug pics. I dont think Ive seen any of those here but at least now I'll know if I see one not to kill it :)
Tammy

7/6/2010 11:14:34 AM

Long Island,New York

If you see alot of predatory bugs in your patch that generally means theres lots of food bugs....a good thing? I know I'm in trouble when I see an increased population of lacewings......usually means aphids taking over....

7/6/2010 1:54:38 PM

Navarre,OH

As of a few weeks ago I was seeing TONS of cucumber beetles. This last week I counted only 2 cucumber beetles and 2 squash bugs and most importantly 0 SVB's. Wish I had some lacewings, I'm starting to see black-ish colored aphids on my brandywines. >:(

7/6/2010 7:09:18 PM

Wilmington.Ma.

I have a lot of birds in the patch ,they take care of all the bugs.SO .FAR

7/7/2010 11:55:04 AM