Small beetle on leaves of dogwood tree - Ask Extension
There is a small beetle on the underside of many of my dogwood leaves. They’re kind of black and cream colored and at first I thought they were baby...
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Small beetle on leaves of dogwood tree #832389
Asked May 28, 2023, 11:58 AM EDT
There is a small beetle on the underside of many of my dogwood leaves. They’re kind of black and cream colored and at first I thought they were baby lady bugs but when I looked closer they had no dots or red on them. They don’t seem to be eating the leaf and it is usually yone beetle per leaf. Can somebody help identify this beetle as I’m not sure whether I should try and get rid of it or leave it alone. I am attaching a picture.
Wallowa County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Karlyn,
Those are a different type of ladybug (Order: Coleoptera, Family: Coccinellidae) called a fungus-eating ladybug (Psyllobora vigintimaculata or Psyllobora borealis). Unlike most other ladybugs, they feed on fungus (especially powdery mildew on plant leaves), rather than feeding on other insects. They won't harm your plants at all, so you can leave them in peace.
Best wishes!
Yours,
Those are a different type of ladybug (Order: Coleoptera, Family: Coccinellidae) called a fungus-eating ladybug (Psyllobora vigintimaculata or Psyllobora borealis). Unlike most other ladybugs, they feed on fungus (especially powdery mildew on plant leaves), rather than feeding on other insects. They won't harm your plants at all, so you can leave them in peace.
Best wishes!
Yours,
Thank you so much for the response! I’m so glad I didn’t try to get rid of them.
Thanks,
Thanks,
Karlyn
On May 30, 2023, at 10:15 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
