Not thrips, not aphids, but they're all up in my buds. :(

Fairly

Active Member
Hi folks,

Long loong loooong time lurker here, I've always been able to find an answer here via someone's else's question, until now.

Here's the thing:

I have a small bush growing outside that is mid-way through flowering. I cut of a tiny bud from the bottom and put it under a microscope to check out trichromes, and I found that the buds are being overrun by a bug that I not only have never seen before, but cannot find anything online about.

They are aphid size, and from the way they move, I want to say they have 3 pairs of legs, and 1 pair of antennae. They have a very distinct black and white back. And there are about 20 per thumb size nug. They are pretty damned ugly, and make me seriously doubt that I want these things anywhere near anyone's lungs.

bug6.jpg 2015-02-14_12-54-55.jpg bug2.jpg bug3.jpg
 
Last edited:

Fairly

Active Member
Stinkbugs are about 100x bigger though, and they don't look like these little guys at any point in the life cycle.

Stinkbug Lifecycle:
20020.jpg
 

DutchHaze

Well-Known Member
View attachment 3351606
Dude I found the bug! You weren't too far off though, same order as the stinkbug apparently.
Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha
Ugliest thing I've seen on any plant IMO.

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/category/aphids-scale-insects-leafhoppers-and-tree-hoppers/page/2/

Any ideas on how to control it?
Good find. What country are u in? I've never seen them posted on here before. Are they causing damage? I wouldn't want to smoke them either. I'm not sure how to kill them but if u get to harvest and they are still there maybe you can very carefully vacuum them off. Just don't suck up the nugs.
 

Alienwidow

Well-Known Member
id spray with water and some mild soap and then see about finding something safe and more effective. neem might work to repel them.
 

Fairly

Active Member
Thanks for all the responses guys. I'm in zone 9-10 pacific coast.
I checked on the plant today, I couldn't find any more of them, and there is no damage that I can discern. I'm crossing my fingers and planting beneficial insect attracting flowers in the area. Hopefully I can get some sweet ladybug action going. I've got both neem and soapy water on standby.
Thanks again, dudes.
 

Fairly

Active Member
Top