Is this a damsel bug? - Ask Extension
I have tentatively identified this (Photo 1) as one of the damsel bugs, genus Nabis. Am I on the right track?
It looks similar to but somewhat more...
Knowledgebase
Is this a damsel bug? #854848
Asked November 07, 2023, 3:05 AM EST
I have tentatively identified this (Photo 1) as one of the damsel bugs, genus Nabis. Am I on the right track?
It looks similar to but somewhat more delicate than the specimen in the second photo (Photo 2), which I have tentatively identified as a western conifer seed bug.
Each was photographed recently on my house in Lafayette, Boulder County.
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Karl,
The first insect is a type of scentless plant bug (Harmostes reflexus).
And your identification of the 2nd insect was correct. While both these insects feed on plants, their damage is insignificant; they do not require management.
There is an app/website that may be of use to you, iNaturalist. It has an algorithm to identify organisms from photos, which is accurate most of the time.
But don't hesitate to submit photos to ask extension in the future, or you can email me directly for bug ID (Karim<personal data hidden>)!
