If you are squeamish, don't read this post. I have had this post in the draft section since last summer. I know eggplant is not generally in the garden in April, but these bugs have their start in a cool season crop that may be in your garden right now-so you want to be on the lookout for these awful insects.
What type of insects eat eggplant leaves? These little guys were smooth and shiny and about the size of ladybugs. They were very prolific, but only on the eggplant. I've never seen them before in any of my gardening endeavors so I am curious as to whether anyone has experience with these pests. Do you recognize it? I believe it is the larvae of the Colorado potato beetle. This University of Kentucky website has a pretty good picture of some of the larvae; which are pinkish/red in the picture. The ones in the picture above are more of a cream color, however they still have the same spots down the sides of the insect. I think these may be very immature larvae that haven't developed the pink color yet? Not sure, any help would be appreciated. The same website says Colorado potato beetles are very familiar to home gardeners and are a serious pest. But, this serious pest has developed a resistance to insecticides. Good thing they are easy to squish then; which is the route I took. Has anyone ever seen these before? They are quite different from the usual hornworms and squash vine borers and I hope they don't visit my garden again this year. Be on the lookout for them on either your potatoes (especially if you live in potato country) or eggplant later in the season. You will want to take action to dispose of them right away as they cause a lot of damage....
in the garden....
Eggplant seems to have lots of bug problem, not so easy to grow it.
ReplyDeleteTina,
ReplyDeleteDoubt this is it, but it looks like Swamp Milkweed Bug(beetle) to me.
VJ, Eggplant can be tricky. Other than these and some flea beetle damage I had good luck last year, but not doing it again this year.
ReplyDeleteRandy, You just may be right! They look exactly like the pictures in the link you sent. I so appreciate the help as I really don't know what these are. I just hope they don't return again! Very ugly and hungry little things.
All I can say is "YUK"!! I just hate veggie bugs--squash bugs, those terrible worms that get on tomotoes..and now these.. YUK!!! Leave my veggies alone! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope they don't visit your garden again this year Tina. Yuk! The little buggers look about as disgusting as slugs.
ReplyDeleteI love eggplant, but have never tried growing it.
Ewww, Tina, usually I am not squeamish at all, but it is the sheer numbers of them that gets me, like ants. I have a thing about ants and it is because there are so many of them, and some bad experiences when living in Texas. I don't even try to grow eggplant for the flea beetle damage. But they are tiny little black things, not big like these. We do have th milkweed bugs that are black and red on those plants, but have not seen them on the veggies, thank goodness! Have you ever tried row covers? I bought some to try this year for the kale crop, but haven't gotten it out of the package yet.
ReplyDeleteFrances
Good Morning All,
ReplyDeleteI don't believe I've ever seen this nasty little critter. Hope I don't. Eggplant seems to do ok for me just don't do at all. lol Will try the white version again this yr. If I start my own seed I can have it in the garden before fall. Usually that's when it's available.
Those are nasty little bugs. Ewwww.
ReplyDeleteTina, co-ops can be ran with as many people as you like. Generally the more the cheaper escpecially with price break companies such as bulb brokers. BloomingBulb offers lots of volume discounts. Even if you can find 10 other people who are interested in bulbs that you are then it is easy to make happen. I will be happy to show you how its done. Thanks!
I looked them up and concur with Randy's diagnosis! Some bugs just will eat anything it seems!
ReplyDeleteI actually think they're kind of cute, but then I haven't seen them IRL (knock wood). Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteDon't know those beetles, but I don't have a veggie garden (only herbs).
ReplyDeleteHope you resolve how to handle these.
Cameron
Ewwww, maybe they don't like the cold we have up here! ;?)
ReplyDeleteI have never seen them but they look like they could do serious damage.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Randy and Dave have sloved it for you, at least the type of bug.
Hi Tina, I've never seen them but I don't grow either of those crops. Luckily they are easy to see and squish or knock into a can of water.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
I don't think we get them here, but we have lots of other things that like to eat the leaves. Slugs are the causing lots of damage now.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Tina! I hope the Swamp Milkweed Bug won't be visiting your garden this year and if they do I hope you'll be able to get rid of them.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your eggplant. I've found spraying leaves with soapy water early in the day helps minimize pests, but I don't recognize your guys.
ReplyDeleteEww..that is awful. It's a shame that the bad bugs have to devour our garden plants.
ReplyDeleteHi Tina, I used to be squeamish earlier but gardening takes care of that too! I hope these unwanted visitors do not descend on your eggplants this year.
ReplyDeleteGreat to be back again...I have a lot of catching up to do!!
Not sure what they are. I grew eggplant last year for the first time and it must have been beginner's luck because they did better than anything else in the garden (good thing my family loves eggplant!). The squash and zucchini we grew was filled with vine borers and we had to pull them up, but the eggplant flourished. I'll keep my out for these nasty critters this summer. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeletethank you and also happy earth day for you all at this wonderful blog !!! herzlich Kathrin aus bremen
ReplyDeleteNot sure, but like weeping sore said spraying with soapy water works wonders with most pests
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have the heads up Tina. I don't like to use any kind of insecticide/chemicals in my garden so usually I hand pick stuff like this and drown them! Mean, huh?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on overwintering some foxglove seedlings too! It's exciting, isn't it? I hope we both get blooms this summer!
Well, yuckity yuck yuck! I found a ladybug on my beebalm yesterday. Now I love those little bugs!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I've only grown eggplant once and never had any insect problems. Squash beetles and tomato worms, now that's a different story:) Have you checked with your extension office? We have a great entomology dept. here at the U of Illinois, which is really helpful in identifying any kind of pests. No one, though, has figured out a good way of getting rid of Japanese beetles:)
ReplyDeleteThey are kind of nasty looking. I hope they don't find their way here.
ReplyDeleteYucky ick they are nasty little buggars! I hope they do not return again this year. We had luck with our egg plant and hope to grow it again this year. That is, if the yard ever dries out...
ReplyDeleteI have seen many many more of these than I would like to see. good luck. I had a student a few summers m=back who had a passion for tracking them down.
ReplyDeleteAha! I've been searching for an identification of this gummy pest which is also on my eggplant. I think I've found it. A False Potato Beetle larvae. Likes and eats same plants as the "real" potato Beetle. I've killed 8 in the last 4 days. Look at this link.
ReplyDeletehttp://bugguide.net/node/view/582
Virginia, Thanks! Your research is so much better than mine and I think you got it. The link explained all about this pesky insect. I hope you get rid of yours. Have a happy and safe 4th!
ReplyDelete