Knowledgebase

What insect is this? #879130

Asked July 28, 2024, 3:49 PM EDT

These appeared overnight all over our vegetable garden. What are they and is this something to be concerned about? If it helps, we don't spray anything on our garden, use composted cow manure to top beds in the fall and cover exposed soil with straw. If this is something we need to use a spray for, can you suggest something bee friendly as we have a bee hive.

Muskegon County Michigan

Expert Response

I'm stumped on what the ID of the bugs in your vegetable garden.  I suggest contacting MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics 
(Plant & Pest Diagnostics-MSU) and email them photos for identification.  If the bugs are still in your garden try for some better detailed photos with the following instructions: 
GRASS PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FOR ID-MSU
Spraying a strong jet of water would probably knock many of the insects off the plants.  Another option might be to spray a soap solution all over each plant to kill the insects.
More info on soap solutions here:
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/coming-clean-soap-garden
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/insecticidal-soaps-for-garden-pest-control/
Dick M. Replied July 29, 2024, 8:34 PM EDT

I happened across reports of corn leaf aphid, and i think that's what you have on your plants. Apparently, they came up on storm winds from Indiana over the weekend. If you do not have corn in your garden, they will not have a host and will disappear on their own.

Here's a link to an MSU Vegetable Crop Report from this week that mentions them. 

Lindsey K. Kerr, MS, MHP  Replied August 01, 2024, 1:29 PM EDT

Loading ...