Is this a false chinch bug? - Ask Extension
I am having difficulty identifying this bug. It is has similar behavior of a fungus gnat in that is seems to be going underground near the roots of ...
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Is this a false chinch bug? #659794
Asked July 04, 2020, 7:13 PM EDT
I am having difficulty identifying this bug. It is has similar behavior of a fungus gnat in that is seems to be going underground near the roots of plants like the arugula. They seem to jump or fly short distances. I have an infestation of a 16 x 4 foot garden which is encompassed in pavestone.
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi,
Sorry to hear about your infestation. From the picture, it does look like a false -chinch bug. Here is a link to a fact sheet on them from CSU Extension that gives more information:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/false-chinch-bugs-5-603-2/
Sorry to hear about your infestation. From the picture, it does look like a false -chinch bug. Here is a link to a fact sheet on them from CSU Extension that gives more information:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/false-chinch-bugs-5-603-2/
Since you mentioned that they seem to jump, It sounds like the notorious flea beetle to me but the picture doesn't look like it. Do you see any of these beetles in your garden? Does the insect hop if you try to touch it? I've attached some information on the flea beetle and ways to control it below.
