Bugs on burning bush - Ask Extension
What kind of bugs are these? Both were seen on the same burning bush. Can either or both damage the bush and spread to other bushes? What can be use...
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Bugs on burning bush #870447
Asked May 28, 2024, 2:47 PM EDT
What kind of bugs are these? Both were seen on the same burning bush. Can either or both damage the bush and spread to other bushes? What can be used to get rid of them?
Ionia County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Take care of these valuable babies! They are lady beetle larvae and are beneficial insects. (In fact, many people purchase lady beetles to help them control insect pests). Here is more information. https://biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/predators/ladybeetles.php
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
Ruth
Take care of these valuable babies! They are lady beetle larvae and are beneficial insects. (In fact, many people purchase lady beetles to help them control insect pests). Here is more information. https://biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/predators/ladybeetles.php
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
Ruth
Thank you for your response about the lady beetle. Can you tell me more about the first pictures which looks like a yellow fly?
Sorry I missed that first insect. This appears to be a yellow dung fly (also called the golden dung fly). Latin name: Scathophaga stercoraria. These insects feed on other insects, so are also beneficial. They are called dung flies because they breed and lay their eggs on dung of large mammals such as farm stock and deer. They are quite common in the Northern Hemisphere.
https://entomology.unl.edu/scilit/Britaney%20Hight%20Golden%20dung%20fly.pdf
Many more beneficial insects exist than harmful pests. It is great that you are taking the time to identify these insects before killing them. Insects are the foundation of the food chain, so we need to protect them!
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
Ruth
https://entomology.unl.edu/scilit/Britaney%20Hight%20Golden%20dung%20fly.pdf
Many more beneficial insects exist than harmful pests. It is great that you are taking the time to identify these insects before killing them. Insects are the foundation of the food chain, so we need to protect them!
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
Ruth
