Please identify this insect on Oregon coast - Ask Extension
In Seaside Oregon we seeing a black small crawling beetle- like insect crawling in our house and deck and fence. Seen at least 30 so far. About 4-5 mm...
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Please identify this insect on Oregon coast #672619
Asked August 03, 2020, 10:36 PM EDT
In Seaside Oregon we seeing a black small crawling beetle- like insect crawling in our house and deck and fence. Seen at least 30 so far. About 4-5 mm long, shiny black body with shiny blue on back and red dot on back of neck. Not sure if coming from beach or from having burrowed under and in fence posts and under deck. If burrowing in fence or shingles will need exterminator. In 40 years have not seen these before. Help identify!!!
Clatsop County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi!
The insect in your photo is an immature bordered plant bugs, Largus sp. They are actually true bugs (Order: Hemiptera) rather than beetles (Order: Coleoptera). Here are a couple links to other photos of immature bordered plant bugs for comparison…
Bordered
plant bugs occur here naturally and they do not bite people or pets. They also do not damage things made of wood..They feed on flowers, leaves and fruits of a variety of plants. They
aren’t generally considered pests, since they usually do minimal damage.
However, if there are a bunch of them, they can do some noticeable
damage to soft fruits (various berries, etc.). If you see bunches of
these bugs and want to prevent damage to your plants, you could just
gather up the individuals you find and freeze them to knock back the
local population.
Hope that helps!
