Is this a Fire Bug?

[TorontoJoe]

I don’t think I ever saw one of these before last year and this year I’m seeing them almost every day.

Just trying to figure out if I need to protect the crops from these things



They kind of look like a Polynesian mask

 

[GoodFriendMike]

Not sure what that is.
Just did a quick search.
It does look like it.

 

[Figgerlickinggood]

Looks more like a voodoo mask. Spooky. Not a firefly

 

[Figgerlickinggood]

It’s a firebug.

 

[Figgerlickinggood]

It’s a firebug.

View attachment 10569

Very interesting read up. Seems the males have a strong ahh, “stamina”

 

[TorontoJoe]

I'm reading that they mostly eat seeds but doesn't specify if they do so while the seeds are in plants

 

[Figless]

@TorontoJoe y'all got some scary looking things living in your garden. That one looks like it belongs on another planet.

 

[TorontoJoe]

How about this one?



Maybe I'm just noticing them more than before...

 

[bushdoctor82]

How about this one?

View attachment 10598

Maybe I'm just noticing them more than before...

This one looks like a squash vine borer.

 

[TorontoJoe]

This one looks like a squash vine borer.

I don’t like the sound of that

 

[bushdoctor82]

I’ve been pest free up until a few weeks ago.

After pruning cucumbers and once I got inside, I had two bugs stuck in my beard. I thought they were just a lighter colored lady bug and gently removed them and placed them back on the cucumber leaves. Turns out, they were spotted cucumber beetles and now I’m getting some disease on the plants. I am planning on pulling them next week for carrot and beet planting. I’m curious to see if I have any root damage from RKN on the cucumbers and if the beets and carrots will produce.

 

[TorontoJoe]

I’ve been pest free up until a few weeks ago.

After pruning cucumbers and once I got inside, I had two bugs stuck in my beard. I thought they were just a lighter colored lady bug and gently removed them and placed them back on the cucumber leaves. Turns out, they were spotted cucumber beetles and now I’m getting some disease on the plants. I am planning on pulling them next week for carrot and beet planting. I’m curious to see if I have any root damage from RKN on the cucumbers and if the beets and carrots will produce.

The cucumber beetles are brutal here. The only cucumber that I’ve been able to plant anymore is beit alpha. Since getting home, I’ve still spotted two of the Beatles. I can’t figure out what other nearby plants might be drawing them in.

 

[bushdoctor82]

The cucumber beetles are brutal here. The only cucumber that I’ve been able to plant anymore is beit alpha. Since getting home, I’ve still spotted two of the Beatles. I can’t figure out what other nearby plants might be drawing them in.

I’m growing straight eights and they have been producing heavy and are a great tasting cucumber.

From what I’ve read, the mere act of pruning cucumbers releases a scent that draws the beetles in. There are various masking sprays, peppermint oil being one, that can mask the scent enough where the beetle won’t attack.