GardenBanter.co.uk - Bug on Grape vines... Friend or Foe?

"Anonny Moose" wrote in message
...

"Paul E. Lehmann" wrote in message
...
Bourne Identity wrote:

On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 11:42:14 -0400, "Paul E. Lehmann"

opined:

DigitalVinyl wrote:

http://members.aol.com/digitalvinyl66/GrapeBug.jpg

Been finding this guy on my grape vines...
Friend or Foe??

DiGiTAL ViNYL (no email)
Zone 6b/7, Westchester Co, NY, 1 mile off L.I.Sound
3rd year gardener
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/royalf...=/2055&.src=ph

Could be a species of Leafhopper. If that is what it is, grapevines can
tolerate populations of up to 15 leafhoppers per leaf with little or no
economic damage.

No it isn't. Why answer when you aren't certain? It happens to be the
larva of one of, if not THE most beneficial insect on the planet, the
ladybeetle.

Victoria

Well, EXCUSE ME, Victoria.

I had no idea there were so many lady bug experts on this news group.
I merely tried to find the closest look alike in my copy of the Midwest
Small Fruit Pest Management Handbook. Of course lady bug larva are not
in
the book. By the way, is there a difference in larva of the common lady
bug and the Asian Lady beetle? The Asian Lady Beetle can RUIN a whole
fermentation by releasing a smell when crushed that can not be cured.

Thank you for educating me on lady bug larva.

The larvae of the different lady beetles is indeed different and the one
in
question appears to be the Asian lady beetle. The Asian adult releases a
bitter tasting and foul smelling liquid, which is actually the beetle's
blood, from its legs as a defensive action. So you'd definitely want to
make
sure you don't have these lady beetles in your fruit at harvest.

Because of the bitter tasting/foul-smelling liquid? If not, why would they
be a problem?

Suzy O, Zone 5, Wisconsin