Name these bugs for me? - Ask Extension
My native lupine and columbine have been eaten alive successive years by whole armies of little grey green bugs I feel confident are aphids. Now the a...
Knowledgebase
Name these bugs for me? #754912
Asked June 08, 2021, 6:41 PM EDT
My native lupine and columbine have been eaten alive successive years by whole armies of little grey green bugs I feel confident are aphids. Now the armies have dwindled and I seeing bigger bugs I have doubts about. Having failed to introduce lady bugs, I would love to know if I were hosting another species that's policing the aphids for me. BTW in the photo with the more colorful blooms only one bug is prominent but there's also a green one diagonally opposite. I apologize that the focus isn't better.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Lupine is commonly attacked by hordes of fuzzy gray aphids, specifically the lupine aphid, Macrosiphum albicans. (See attached image.)
Columbines may be infested with aphids also, but typically far less often than lupines.
It's difficult to accurately identify the insects in your images. That said, they resemble plant bugs which can damage flowers with their sucking mouthparts.
A simple remedy for aphids is an alert gardener who applies a harsh water spray, as needed, to blast the aphids from the plants. Such a spray must be regularly repeated because some aphids will always be missed. Those few remaining aphids will rapidly multiply, by giving live birth every 20 minutes!
When it comes to ladybugs, it's far better to encourage those already at your place rather than purchase them. The reasons are several, among them because purchased lady beetles are often in poor condition by the time you obtain them. Then, too, the cottony surface of lupine aphids may disrupt their searching activity.
Columbines may be infested with aphids also, but typically far less often than lupines.
It's difficult to accurately identify the insects in your images. That said, they resemble plant bugs which can damage flowers with their sucking mouthparts.
A simple remedy for aphids is an alert gardener who applies a harsh water spray, as needed, to blast the aphids from the plants. Such a spray must be regularly repeated because some aphids will always be missed. Those few remaining aphids will rapidly multiply, by giving live birth every 20 minutes!
When it comes to ladybugs, it's far better to encourage those already at your place rather than purchase them. The reasons are several, among them because purchased lady beetles are often in poor condition by the time you obtain them. Then, too, the cottony surface of lupine aphids may disrupt their searching activity.
