Weevil or other insect? - Ask Extension
Good evening! I noticed that my bins in South Eugene were covered with these small bugs yesterday. I worried they were ticks at first but then noticed...
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Weevil or other insect? #810999
Asked September 15, 2022, 8:59 PM EDT
Good evening! I noticed that my bins in South Eugene were covered with these small bugs yesterday. I worried they were ticks at first but then noticed the antennae. Are they some kind of weevil? Thank you!
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Erin,
That's a cool find and nice work noticing the antennae to rule out ticks!
Those are actually aphids from the genus Pterocomma. They have distinctive coloration and are quite attractive in their own way. Aphids from the genus Pterocomma feed on the sap of willow, cottonwood, aspen, and other related trees. Are any of these types of trees overhanging your bins? If so, you could look for the aphids on the trees too. They are unlikely to do significant harm to the trees, so I don't think you need to do anything about them. They won't cause any other damage either.
Hope that helps!
That's a cool find and nice work noticing the antennae to rule out ticks!
Those are actually aphids from the genus Pterocomma. They have distinctive coloration and are quite attractive in their own way. Aphids from the genus Pterocomma feed on the sap of willow, cottonwood, aspen, and other related trees. Are any of these types of trees overhanging your bins? If so, you could look for the aphids on the trees too. They are unlikely to do significant harm to the trees, so I don't think you need to do anything about them. They won't cause any other damage either.
Hope that helps!
Thank you so much!!!
Erin
