Knowledgebase

Light blue and black beetle eating my strawberry leaves #800810

Asked July 12, 2022, 6:18 PM EDT

Can you identify this bug please? And is it harmful? If so, how do I eradicate it? I have not ever seen before. I have extensive gardens, vegetables and flowers and many shrubs and fruit trees. I live in Cohasset, MN 55721. Thanks for your time and help. Jamie Daigle

Itasca County Minnesota

Expert Response

  The tape makes it difficult to see the insect.This insect may be a tarnished plant bug nymph, Lygus lineolaris. They feed by sucking sap from strawberry blossoms. They are believed to inject a toxic substance into the plant when feeding to break down plant tissues. The injured blossoms develop into berries, but the feeding damage causes a distinctive “cat face” deformity on the berries.  https://extension.umn.edu/strawberry-farming/strawberry-insect-pests-minnesota
https://fruit.wisc.edu/2018/05/18/tarnished-plant-bug-a-strawberry-menace/
Pat M MN master gardener and TCA Replied July 12, 2022, 8:01 PM EDT
image

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On Jul 12, 2022, at 7:02 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied July 13, 2022, 5:24 PM EDT
I am unable to identify the insect that is eating your strawberry leaves/
https://extension.umn.edu/strawberry-farming/strawberry-insect-pests-minnesota
The green immigrant leaf weevil (Polydrusus formosus) and the pale green weevil (Polydrusus impressifrons) belong to a group of beetles known as weevils.  They browse on leaf and flower buds, young leaves and open blossom and may occasionally be pests of  raspberry and strawberry. They may damage developing fruits by producing unsightly corky scars on the skin of mature fruit. Spraying the plant with a soap and water solution fruit. https://bugguide.net/node/view/35040
 https://fruitedge.umn.edu/insect-pests/polydrusus-weevils
http://www.minnesotaseasons.com/Insects/green_immigrant_leaf_weevil.html
Pat M MN master gardener and TCA Replied July 13, 2022, 6:28 PM EDT
I sent a new pic today.  What do you think?

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On Jul 13, 2022, at 5:28 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied July 13, 2022, 7:42 PM EDT
It is most likely the green immigrant leaf weevil (Polydrusus formosus).It sometimes feeds on  strawberry. It can be controlled with insecticidal soap.
Pat M MN master gardener and TCA Replied July 13, 2022, 9:03 PM EDT

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