Insect on my celery - Ask Extension
These tiny nymphs just hatched on the underside of a celery leaf in the garden. The eggs are copper colored like those of a spiny assassin bug but the...
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Insect on my celery #700703
Asked July 14, 2020, 2:05 PM EDT
These tiny nymphs just hatched on the underside of a celery leaf in the garden. The eggs are copper colored like those of a spiny assassin bug but the nymphs have milk-glass bodies and striped legs and antenna. Needing to know if it's a pest or a beneficial insect. Thank you!! Marcia
Carroll County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello Marcia,
This appears to be a nymph of a leaf-footed bug, a plant-feeding true bug. They develop more pigmentation as they age. A gallery of various species in our area can be viewed here (mostly adults and older nymphs pictured): https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewThumbnails.php?family=Coreidae&
Because they can be garden pests, you could rinse them off or squish them, though predators and parasites may reduce their numbers before they become problematic (if they do at all).
Miri
This appears to be a nymph of a leaf-footed bug, a plant-feeding true bug. They develop more pigmentation as they age. A gallery of various species in our area can be viewed here (mostly adults and older nymphs pictured): https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewThumbnails.php?family=Coreidae&
Because they can be garden pests, you could rinse them off or squish them, though predators and parasites may reduce their numbers before they become problematic (if they do at all).
Miri
Thank you! Once you gave me the name of the insect I googled it and found photos of nymphs that looked exactly like mine. This was one of those cases where describing the bug in a dozen different ways did not turn up any matches. So I am much obliged! Marcia
You're welcome!
