Red insects - Ask Extension
1. I have very tiny red insects on the stems of the coneflowers. Are they beneficial or harmful. On some of the plants I’ve sprayed with an insectic...
Knowledgebase
Red insects #657460
Asked June 29, 2020, 9:22 AM EDT
1. I have very tiny red insects on the stems of the coneflowers. Are they beneficial or harmful. On some of the plants I’ve sprayed with an insecticide which seemed to work. Other plants I sprayed with a soapy water solution which initially seemed to work but now they’re back on those plants. What are your recommendations?
2. I also seem to have an infestation of a tan bug with dark stripe down the middle. The head seems to be iridescent. Are these young Asian beetles? If not Asian beetles are they beneficial or harmful? A photo is attached .
Anoka County Minnesota
Expert Response
Without a picture and size, I cannot identify the red insects. The following website gives pictures of common small red insects. The insect pictured is a rose chafer. They are easily picked off or brushed into a glass/bucket of soapy water.
See: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/rose-chafers
Also see: http://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/insect/garden/beetles/small/
