Can anyone tell me what this may be.

Definitely an assassin bug nymph. It's considered a beneficial bug.

Thank you for your response. This bit me in the car yesterday afternoon and sent a burning sensation up my back and I had no idea what it could be. Has whelped and turned red today. So wanted to see if it would be something harmful.

Yikes. I was just reading about someone else being bit by one and how painful it is. It guess it's not actually a bite but more of a piercing. Other than being painful, I don't know but haven't heard of it being dangerous or anything.

More specifically, the one in your picture is probably a Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus - http://bugguide.net/node/view/...

That's what I've read as well. It's making me nervous tho because it swelling turning red in s big area. Guess I'll wait it out see what it does

Did you try any of the remedies mentioned in the link Christine posted? They're down towards the bottom of the page.

Yes, a good soak in some Epsom Salt might be in order. It helps draw out the poisons.

Can someone tell me what these pretty pink caterpillar thingys are? They are on a Blue Barlow columbine, which is finished blooming anyway, so if they are going to be pretty b'flies I can leave them alone. Nobody seems to want the Black Barlow, just Blue. If the pics are too fuzzy let me know and I'll try and try again. I don't think the cats are going away, assuming they are cats. TIA

Hi @CarolHB

Give these links a look. I think Heliothis is the genus.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/...

http://bugguide.net/node/view/...

Hmmm..... Well, its a pretty caterpillar, but if its anything like the dreaded budworm it will have to go. I have petunias not too far away from there. It feeds on the flower buds and they're ready to go so I'll just shear them off and maybe the cats/worms will go too. It is a little weird to see them emerging from the bud, or trying to disappear into it. Thanks for your help. `

Happy to help. Sorry it is a nasty pest and not a pretty pink Butterfly.

Having never seen nor heard of a pink butterfly I was just a tad sceptical from the get-go. But pretty pink for a bad guy? Someone's creator has a real sense of humor.

I agree, just look at the Duck-billed Platypus or the Pangolin....

Picture one: ladybug larva



Picture two: four striped plant bug. Aesthetic damage mostly, ignore unless it brought a lot of friends.



Picture three, green lacewing. Excellent aphid eaters in larva form.




Picture four, ladybug eating aphids

I saw earlier discussion re splitting this thread to known insects v. what-is-it and have put this here. For me, it would helpful to have the ID'd bugs on a separate thread, but I'll go with the flow. I'm kind of hoping with all the new changes perhaps we'll get a bug database, but who knows.

Good, bad, or ?? On euphorbia in June, Pacific NW:

I have no idea who your visitor is, and I agree it would be very helpful to have a bug database.

I agree. Bug database would be great. Maybe we can suggest it again when Dave isn't so busy.

Just realized that NGA included a pests library. Perhaps we can build on that.

I think merging these two sites must be a real challenge. There is also a whole 'nother place to find care of plants which I am hopeful will eventually somehow merge with the regular database. I can't remember to check all the various places for things. For the moment, I am just practicing patience and focusing on my personal list of plants, which always needs updating.

Bonehead said:I saw earlier discussion re splitting this thread to known insects v. what-is-it and have put this here. For me, it would helpful to have the ID'd bugs on a separate thread, but I'll go with the flow. I'm kind of hoping with all the new changes perhaps we'll get a bug database, but who knows.

There's always the separate insect and bug ID forum:

http://garden.org/forums/view/...

OMGosh, I didn't even know that existed. See what I mean by too many places to look? How would one know the difference between "Pests and Diseases" and "Insect and Bug ID". Sheesh. I'll just let the bugs be.