Small black bug with white spots - Ask Extension
These little bugs appeared for the first time this year on my deck in large numbers- like they recently hatched. They seem to be going away now but I...
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Small black bug with white spots #641839
Asked May 27, 2020, 1:43 PM EDT
These little bugs appeared for the first time this year on my deck in large numbers- like they recently hatched. They seem to be going away now but I am wondering what they are and if they are harmful?
Picture is attached-
A different bug is eating me alive when I am on my deck which is elevated about 20 feet off the ground . I'm catching them in a solution of dish soap and apple cider vinegar. Can you identify them and recommend a solution? There is no standing water on the deck.
Appreciate any info and advice
Philadelphia County Pennsylvania
Expert Response
I see what looks to be two different insects. The one with dots looks like a first stage Spotted Lanternfly nymph. The first link below provides close up photos to confirm if this is what you are seeing. Destroy any you find. The pest will go through several growth stages and looks before reaching adult form in the late summer/fall. Some egg cases may not yet have hatched so you can scrape and kill those if any remain. The first link has photos of what to look for at each stage.
Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive insect that has spread throughout Pennsylvania since its discovery in Berks County in 2014. SLF feeds on the plant sap of many different plants including grapevines, maples, black walnut, and other important plants in PA. SLF can be controlled with a combination of physical removal of life stages, host trees (Tree of Heaven) as well as pesticide applications.
As SLF feeds, the insect excretes honeydew (a sugary substance) which can attract bees, wasps, and other insects. The honeydew also builds up and promotes the growth for sooty mold (fungi), which can cover the plant, forest understories, patio furniture, cars, and anything else found below SLF feeding.
This insect is easily moved if no one is looking. You are in the quarantine area so a “look before you leave“ strategy is in effect. Inspecting your vehicles, trailers, or any outdoor items before you move around or out of the quarantine is important. If possible, don’t park in tree lines and keep windows rolled up when you park your vehicle. Know the life stages of the insect and when to look for what.
The homeowners guide below includes a variety of control options tailored for different stages. Chemical controls may not be necessary but if that option is used, apply only insecticides that are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to treat the specific insect on your property. Home remedies should not be used against SLF because they may be unsafe to humans, pets, and plants and could be illegal.
https://extension.psu.edu/have-you-seen-a-spotted-lanternfly
https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-homeowners
We thank you for your question and wisH you good luck. Contact us again if further advice is needed. More information can be found at https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly
For the second photo, it looks like a type of fly. You can send high quality, close up, not blurry, photos to the entomology lab for quick ID or even send a specimen. No charge for the service. Below are instructions and links.
Instructions
for insect ID requests are available on the Entomology website
if you need to send them to a client. Phone cameras are amazing and I can often
identify a specimen to a useful level using just a photo or two, so sending
photographs of specimens can be sent to this email (<personal data hidden>) is often the fastest way to
have a specimen identified. Physical specimens should be sent to the lab
(address below or in the previous link). In most cases, if physical specimens
are sent they should be preserved in alcohol (rubbing or isopropyl alcohol is
fine, ethanol is preferred). If there's any question
about how a specimen should be sent, feel free to call<personal data hidden>) or email
to ask. We have plastic vials for specimen shipping available that can be
requested.
If specimens are sent directly, they should be sent in alcohol in a
liquid-tight container in a plastic self-sealing bag. Ethyl and
isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol are acceptable and available at any
pharmacy. Please include your name, address, phone number, and email (if
applicable) with the package or fill out the insect identification request form.
Michael Skvarla,
Ph.D.
Assistant Research Professor of Arthropod Identification
Department of Entomology Penn State University
Address for Lab:
Insect Identification Lab
Department of Entomology
501 ASI Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
Thank you so much for your helpful response. It turns out that the SLF image you showed me is exactly what we have and we will proceed with efforts to kill and have our tree treated if necessary. I’m hoping the tree can be saved as it is huge and our deck was built around it- Regarding the second insect whose picture was too blurry- I will attach a better photo and see if that works. I thought it was a small black flying insect But the magnified image shows color and markings. That’s the one that feasted on me. I trapped and killed them in a bowl of apple cider vinegar and dawn soap- but any other mitigation advice would be much appreciated
HI again,
The photos you sent are still not quite clear enough but I will hazard a guess since I can see the yellow and black stripes. I would think it was a sweat bee. (some are metallic green) Which is an important pollinator and usually leaves you alone unless they feel threatened. Flaying arms and hands. They like to lick the sweat off of you for the salt. If they bother you use a natural repellent that contains citrus, mint or eucalyptus ingredients.
I do not think it is a hover fly (another important pollinator/beneficial insect) because they do not sting or bite you.