Bug Identification - Ask Extension
Today I found a swarm of several thousand bugs eating my spinach, chard and beet tops. They are strong fliers and mover very fast. I sprayed them wi...
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Bug Identification #197680
Asked July 08, 2014, 3:59 PM EDT
Today I found a swarm of several thousand bugs eating my spinach, chard and beet tops. They are strong fliers and mover very fast. I sprayed them with permethrin and it seems like they are all dead for now. They just defoliate your plants over night. The bugs are gray and about 3/4 inch long. See the attached picture. Can you help me?
Morrow County Oregon
Expert Response
These are blister beetles (btw, these two are mating), possibly the ash-gray blister beetle or related species. The beetles probably migrated from a nearby agricultural field such as alfalfa. In a garden it would be better to treat with neem oil or spinosad.
