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Bug eating leaves #756908

Asked June 17, 2021, 6:44 PM EDT

Bug eating my moon flower leaves. Lays very small orange eggs. Bug is small orange with a black head

Oakland County Michigan

Expert Response

I'm unable to determine the culprit due to the blurriness of the insects in the photos. The yellow eggs could be lady beetles or another species of beetle. The insect in the 2nd photo is either a beetle larva or pupa. The 3rd photo does not have an insect in it. 

David Lowenstein Replied June 20, 2021, 10:21 PM EDT

I think it may be a beetle.  The things after the eggs hatch are the larvae? How do I get rid of them eating the moon flower leaves?  Will they eat other plant leaves?

The Question Asker Replied June 22, 2021, 10:00 PM EDT

Thanks for the clearer photo. These are 3 lined potato beetle larvae. Though they can feed on leaves, they are rarely present in numbers high enough to cause severe damage. The biggest risk for plant damage is on potatoes or ground cherries.

David Lowenstein Replied June 23, 2021, 10:21 AM EDT
thanks .  I did use some Neem spray.  they really ate a lot of the moonflower leaves.  Hoping will not eat the tomato leaves!
On Wed, Jun 23, 2021 at 10:21 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 25, 2021, 8:47 PM EDT

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