A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Plant pests and problems Anybody know what type bug this is?

He's been sitting on that chairarm most of the day. I have several potted plants on the deck and was just wondering if he would be good for them or if he's going to harm them. OR maybe he won't have anything to do with them.

I have to admit; I don't know the good garden bugs from the bad or even those that have nothing to do with a garden.
I'm not new to gardening but I think in years past I just used bug killer and didn't think about it much. Now I would love to do the flowers without any chemicals.
Maybe I should just chase him off the deck, eh? If he were good for the plants then I wouldn't want to do that.
Thank you,
Shirl

She looks like some kind of stick bug, I'd be willing to bet she eats a lot of bad bugs. I can tell that I'd make friends with her right away!

Well Bill I have been pretty much making friends with her all day. I just wouldn't sit down beside her though.
I'm not afraid of bugs as long as they don't get on me. Then it's a different story.
I see that she is leaving the deck slowly now.

Thanks for the reply. That makes me feel better about it being here.

Shirl

Oh, Man, I'm pretty sure that is an assassin bug or assassin beetle, they don't eat as many bad bugs as, say, ladybug larva, but they will help with your garden pests. Would you look it up and report?

Dave,
I will check and see if I can find anything that looks like it.
So far I haven't been able to find that one.
I'll look again. I hope it is a good bug for the gardens.
If it is, I hope it brings the friends next time.

Well that didn't take long. It's a Wheel Bug Nymph.
Here is the site where I found the picture.

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/bugs/assassin/assassin.htm#nymph

Scroll down to the second set of photos under the heading; LIFE CYCLE

That's the same bug. I'm really glad I ask, because now I know it's a good bug and I won't mind seeing more of him.

Thanks everybody, you're the best!!
Shirl