Can't identify this little bug

Grayson · March 30, 2016

Figured I'd put this on a separate thread.

I found 2 of these in my plants and I don't know if they are harmless or not.

MissS · March 30, 2016

It looks like a Leafhopper to me. They feed by puncturing the leaves and sucking the juices out.

Pest - Destroy them.

Soapy water will drown them. DE helps for longer term, at least until it rains.

Grayson · March 30, 2016

Thanks! Is it safe to assume that green insects on the plant are more often than not harmful to the plant (i.e. feed on their juices)?

Sorry, I am unfamiliar with DE. Actually, this will be the first time I will be dealing with pests.

MissS · March 30, 2016

Grayson, I have never thought about the color of the insect on the plants before. What a good assumption. Yes, mostly the green ones seem to be bad but I also know an abundance of beneficial ones that are green. I think that it is about 50/50. If you do a Google search for the Leafhopper you will see that they come in many beautiful colors. You just seem to have a plain one.

Try just using the soapy water. You could also add some dog flea and tick shampoo for an extra boost. Use it in the early morning or very late afternoon. Not during direct sun or you will burn your pants. Use every 4-5 days until they are gone.

DE is diatomaceous earth. A sharp white powder made from small animal particles. It pierces the insects as they move across it and/or ingest it.

maxjohnson · March 31, 2016

They will also provide your tomatoes with curly top virus.

Grayson · March 31, 2016

So do I apply the soapy water the same way I do foliars? Also does the insect love the undersides of the leaves as much as the top? And what soap is best?

Re: DE, I did a quick search but couldn't find one in tbe hardware and gardening section. They did offer me Neem oil though.

MissS · April 3, 2016

Yes spray both the top and the undersides of the leaves with the soap spray. Dawn is a good choice, so is Hartz Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs even Castile soap works. Only spray your plants in the early morning or close to dusk. Spraying in the direct sunlight will burn your plants. You may be able to find the DE in the pool section of your stores. Many pool filters require this product.

Worth1 · April 3, 2016

Glassy winged leafhopper they come in all colors and hide like a squirrel in a tree running from one side of the leaf and stem to the other.
Spreading the dreaded leaf scald virus all across Californians and into Texas on oleander.
Once it is infected you simply have to dig up and get rid of the plant.
But do not burn because the smoke from them is very toxic.
Lost 10 of them to it.

Worth

habitat_gardener · April 3, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grayson

Thanks! Is it safe to assume that green insects on the plant are more often than not harmful to the plant (i.e. feed on their juices)?

Sorry, I am unfamiliar with DE. Actually, this will be the first time I will be dealing with pests.

One of the best beneficial insects is green --- the green lacewing.

Grayson · April 4, 2016

Fortunately I've only seen that one bug... but to be sure, I lightly sprayed it with the soapy water mix. I'm wondering how it even got that high up. Anyway, my next task would be looking for a swimming pool store.

Grayson · April 11, 2016

Ok, so I haven't seen the green insect return, but this insect was hanging out in one of the flowers earlier today. I also don't know what it is and it flew away before I could snatch it.

March 30, 2016	#1
Grayson Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Philippines, Osaka Posts: 47	Can't identify this little bug Figured I'd put this on a separate thread. I found 2 of these in my plants and I don't know if they are harmless or not.

March 30, 2016	#2
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,146	It looks like a Leafhopper to me. They feed by puncturing the leaves and sucking the juices out. Pest - Destroy them. Soapy water will drown them. DE helps for longer term, at least until it rains. __________________ ~ Patti ~

March 30, 2016	#4
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,146	Grayson, I have never thought about the color of the insect on the plants before. What a good assumption. Yes, mostly the green ones seem to be bad but I also know an abundance of beneficial ones that are green. I think that it is about 50/50. If you do a Google search for the Leafhopper you will see that they come in many beautiful colors. You just seem to have a plain one. Try just using the soapy water. You could also add some dog flea and tick shampoo for an extra boost. Use it in the early morning or very late afternoon. Not during direct sun or you will burn your pants. Use every 4-5 days until they are gone. DE is diatomaceous earth. A sharp white powder made from small animal particles. It pierces the insects as they move across it and/or ingest it. __________________ ~ Patti ~

April 3, 2016	#7
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,146	Yes spray both the top and the undersides of the leaves with the soap spray. Dawn is a good choice, so is Hartz Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs even Castile soap works. Only spray your plants in the early morning or close to dusk. Spraying in the direct sunlight will burn your plants. You may be able to find the DE in the pool section of your stores. Many pool filters require this product. __________________ ~ Patti ~

March 31, 2016	#5
maxjohnson Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: OH 6a Posts: 592	They will also provide your tomatoes with curly top virus.

April 3, 2016	#8
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Glassy winged leafhopper they come in all colors and hide like a squirrel in a tree running from one side of the leaf and stem to the other. Spreading the dreaded leaf scald virus all across Californians and into Texas on oleander. Once it is infected you simply have to dig up and get rid of the plant. But do not burn because the smoke from them is very toxic. Lost 10 of them to it. Worth

April 4, 2016	#10
Grayson Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Philippines, Osaka Posts: 47	Fortunately I've only seen that one bug... but to be sure, I lightly sprayed it with the soapy water mix. I'm wondering how it even got that high up. Anyway, my next task would be looking for a swimming pool store.

April 11, 2016	#11
Grayson Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Philippines, Osaka Posts: 47	Ok, so I haven't seen the green insect return, but this insect was hanging out in one of the flowers earlier today. I also don't know what it is and it flew away before I could snatch it.