Outdoor flying bug id?

goingtoguano · Sep 11, 2019

I am just curious if anyone knows what these bugs are. I have never noticed these before but they seem to be quite abundant this year. They don't seem to be causing any harm so I am guessing they are friendly? I am in the northeast.

Madbud · Sep 12, 2019

Its a leafhopper, they suck on the stems. If they have been feeding on a diseased plant they can infect other plants.

goingtoguano · Sep 13, 2019

Thanks Madbud. There’s probably not much I want to do about them (spray anything that would work) at this point.

Beachwalker · Sep 13, 2019

goingtoguano said:
Thanks Madbud. There’s probably not much I want to do about them (spray anything that would work) at this point.

goingtoguano · Sep 13, 2019

Beachwalker said:
View attachment 895531

Thanks Beachwalker. I'll start looking for any of that leafhopper-damage and decide if I need to take action.

Madbud · Jun 22, 2020

What is this? Couple of them flying around every summer in new england like a beetle or lightning bug. Never see them on any type of plants, can’t figure out what they feed on or what larva look like.

redshift75 · Jun 22, 2020

Madbud said:
What is this? Couple of them flying around every summer in new england like a beetle or lightning bug. Never see them on any type of plants, can’t figure out what they feed on or what larva look like.

kind of looks like a cross between a Pennsylvania firefly and black firefly.

looks like a firefly

edit: to answer the question
You are fine. they are in the beneficial portion of pests. having them around your plants is in my opinion a great thing. I love to see them around my garden because it tends to keep other leaf eater types of larger variety that can cause the most impact(in a short time frame) - Away. Lets just say ive never seen another bug share a leaf with a firefly.

but i dont live in a jungle or anything. So anything is possible.

Madbud · Jun 22, 2020

redshift75 said:
kind of looks like a cross between a Pennsylvania firefly and black firefly.

looks like a firefly View attachment 989878

edit: to answer the question
You are fine. they are in the beneficial portion of pests. having them around your plants is in my opinion a great thing. I love to see them around my garden because it tends to keep other leaf eater types of larger variety that can cause the most impact away. Lets just say ive never seen another bug share a leaf with a firefly. but i dont live in a jungle or anything. So anything is possible.

And it flies like a firefly, but the problem is theres no fireflies in the ‘hood, never seen one in twenty plus years.

redshift75 · Jun 22, 2020

Madbud said:
And it flies like a firefly, but the problem is theres no fireflies in the ‘hood, never seen one in twenty plus years.

just because you dont see them doesnt mean they are not there. If you are in a city you may not see them because bright lights interfere with their ability to shine and mate. or something like that. So not seeing them shine doesnt really mean they arent around. they typically feast over winter on ground Beatles or other things larvae(i want to say). They could just be living good in the hood. No one just noticed til your photo.

That would be my guess. I recently read something on facebook passing the subject about "why havent i seen them" there was some portions that talked about light pollution and its impacts on their ability to shine and mate. But they have adapted coping mechanisms like moths and just kind of meet at the lights now or has been possibly observed(but not explored). Its possible they are finding mating ground in your garden and this would be a great thing.

redshift75 · Jun 22, 2020

more info for insect identification https://www.insectidentification.or...n.asp?thisState=Massachusetts&thisType=Beetle you can see local beetles and varieties. maybe i got your location wrong by your post. I just kind of read between the lines with New England and could be one of a dozen new englands :)

Madbud · Jun 22, 2020

redshift75 said:
more info for insect identification https://www.insectidentification.or...n.asp?thisState=Massachusetts&thisType=Beetle you can see local beetles and varieties. maybe i got your location wrong by your post. I just kind of read between the lines with New England and could be one of a dozen new englands :)

Yeah, just went through it. Has to be a firefly, nothing else is close. There is a marsh within a half mile, maybe the juveniles fly here to dry off then return at night to mate in the wetland.

Madbud · Jun 22, 2020

Think i’ll go old school and catch a couple in a jar.
edit: just found the daytime ones, ellychnia, don’t light

Outdoor flying bug id?

Outdoor flying bug id?

goingtoguano

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Outdoor flying bug id?

Outdoor flying bug id?

goingtoguano

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redshift75

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