Backyard Aquaponics
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These bugs are all over my tomatoes. What are they and how so meet rid of them? Thanks.

I thought they were an ant in the beginning, the last picture isn't an ant though.

Are they doing any damage?

Leaf Footed Bug nymphs. Never had to deal with them but looking around they suck the fruit and cause the tomatoes to have white spots when harvested, where they were sucking. I guess they can also cause the fruit to go bad sooner because of bacteria they transmit.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2212257/bugs-on-my-tomatoes-please-help

Noticed in the comments of the above thread that one person bags tomatoes to prevent damage. Looks like they use the bags on grapes as well.

Another couple of links with some info.

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=5529
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/weekly_Q&A/p&dc_12.htm

Here's a site showing some of the damage and an adult - https://atexaspatriot.wordpress.com/201 ... nkin-bugs/

Cheers

that looked so photoshopped?

It does!!! They look fake in person too. It's wierd.

Spinosad is a OMRI rated product that should control.

I'm pretty sure I got this right but you do have to be careful, they look a lot like assassin bug nymphs and you don't want to go killing them because they are beneficials.

http://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=39645

This is what leaf footed bug eggs look like - http://growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms-underworldtomatoleaf4/

Here's a really neat series of photos showing a leaf footed bug hatching - https://bugtracks.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/leaf-footed-bug-egg/

cheers

Yup. It's definetly the leaf footer bug. Thanks for he links. So what's the safest way to get rid of them aside from picking them off individually while keeping fish and plants safe?

Never had to deal with them but solutions ran the gamut . Lots of comments about the organics not working on them but when they are young they are more vulnerable.

Scotty, good eye. One way to find out...grab a few and see if they bite. You know those assassin bugs will light you up. I've never been bit by a baby, but the adults will get you.lol

Smushed about 20 of leaf legged bugs before heasing off to work this morning. There is a different bug I found on the tomatoes with different coloration. I'll post a picture of the new bug in a bit.

Thaklnks for the help.

amazing camea work, thanks for the info too

Here is the other bug I found on my chery tomatoes.








What is it?

multitasking!


we get green shield bugs here

Stink bugs...bad.