Tiny Bug Eating Oregano and Flowers - Ask Extension
I have searched in books and the internet to identify this bug so I can figure out how to get rid of it. I've come close but either the head or body...
Knowledgebase
Tiny Bug Eating Oregano and Flowers #187160
Asked May 31, 2014, 10:11 PM EDT
I have searched in books and the internet to identify this bug so I can figure out how to get rid of it. I've come close but either the head or body doesn't match the bug I have. It looks like a beetle of some sort. Perhaps it's not full grown yet so I can't find the correct picture. I have a tiny 1/8" bright shiny red head and body, black shoulder bug, black legs and antenna that is eating or destroying the leaves on my oregano and different flowers. There are lots of small brown spots on the leaves which looks like a disease but I've seen the bugs so I'm thinking it's bug damage. I live in Washtenaw County Michigan and have never seen these bugs before. I've never had any damage to my oregano before either. Can you help me identify this bug? Thank you.
Washtenaw County Michigan
Expert Response
Your insect is a four-lined plant bug.
Being a true bug, it sucks the contents out of the leaves in a circular pattern. Depending on the plant, the thinned spots could look tan, brown or black. Much of the damage is with the newest leaves produced.
The four-lined plant bug begins life as a small, rich, red insect with black wing pads. It eventually ages into an adult that is lime green (the color of a tennis ball) with four black lines running from head to tail. When you look at it feeding at the top of the plant, it runs down the stem in a spiral fashion to escape. They are speedy.
This insect damages a number of plants like herbs, chrysanthemums, speedwell and mints.
Being a true bug, it sucks the contents out of the leaves in a circular pattern. Depending on the plant, the thinned spots could look tan, brown or black. Much of the damage is with the newest leaves produced.
The four-lined plant bug begins life as a small, rich, red insect with black wing pads. It eventually ages into an adult that is lime green (the color of a tennis ball) with four black lines running from head to tail. When you look at it feeding at the top of the plant, it runs down the stem in a spiral fashion to escape. They are speedy.
This insect damages a number of plants like herbs, chrysanthemums, speedwell and mints.
Thank you so much! I know what a four-lined bug is but I have never seen them in my yard as a nymph. Will Neem Oil work on these bugs? I also have Bayer 3 in 1 but because it's on my oregano, I need something edible friendly. I did spray Neem Oil about a week ago but I'm not sure if that worked as I found a bug today and it was doubled in size from a week ago!
They grow up fast. Do not use products that are not labeled for use on food items. Is Neem? When they are small and red, they can be sprayed with insecticidal soap... a product that you buy. Don't mix up the witches' brew from under the sink.
You are going to have to clip off damaged leaves or stems because the damage is not going to repair itself. This insect is not one that you can spray once and be done with it. This is going to require multiple spays to get the population under control.
You are going to have to clip off damaged leaves or stems because the damage is not going to repair itself. This insect is not one that you can spray once and be done with it. This is going to require multiple spays to get the population under control.
Yes, Neem oil is organic and can be used on fruits and vegetables up to the day of harvest. This is my first year using Neem oil so I'm not sure if it's working. My understanding with organic products is you have to start using them from the beginning and have to continuously use them to get the full effect, whereby, a chemical will usually kill on contact. Is insecticidal soap considered organic? Will it start working right away? Thank you.
My understanding of neem is that it is a repellant. It is not poisoning any insects, just making them stay away. Neem is considered a pesticide and so are the products you are calling chemicals. All need to be used more than once because it is rare that every egg has hatched or there could be insects in the vicinity that did not get sprayed.
