This is one of my preserved Harlequin Bugs that I staged for a focus stacking session. They are a member of the 'true bug' family with their sucking proboscis.
Although they may look pretty with its bright colors, the Harlequin Bug feeds on its host plant by sucking the plant's juices. They literally "sucking-to-death" the host plant they feed on which results in wilting, browning, and eventual death of the plant.
They are a threat to cabbage (and thus to the St. Patrick's Day traditional meal) and related crops in the southern half of the United States although they do venture north. This pest has the ability to destroy the entire crop where it is not controlled so it is a constant battle to control them. In addition to its favorite cabbages, they can also destroy horseradish, cauliflower, collards, mustard, Brussels sprouts, turnip, kohlrabi and radish.
And if that's not enough, in the absence of these favorite plants they can turn to tomato, potato, eggplant, okra, bean, asparagus, beet, weeds, fruit trees and field crops so their variety of diet is vast. These are true pests along with the related Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.
Easy to see how it got its name, Gary!
You sure are staying busy, sippy. And I'm glad.
Thanks, SX2002. I enjoyed seeing your archery and medieval collection.
UTMike wrote:
Easy to see how it got its name, Gary!
Thanks, UTMike. Sometimes it's easy to come up with a name and I agree that this is one of those times.
kpmac wrote:
You sure are staying busy, sippy. And I'm glad.
Thanks, Kpmac. It keeps me from doing chores around the house although I have promised the Better Half that I would get around to them someday.
Great detail for a Raid wanted poster!
Ballard
Loc: Grass Valley, California
sippyjug104 wrote:
This is one of my preserved Harlequin Bugs that I staged for a focus stacking session. They are a member of the 'true bug' family with their sucking proboscis.
Although they may look pretty with its bright colors, the Harlequin Bug feeds on its host plant by sucking the plant's juices. They literally "sucking-to-death" the host plant they feed on which results in wilting, browning, and eventual death of the plant.
They are a threat to cabbage (and thus to the St. Patrick's Day traditional meal) and related crops in the southern half of the United States although they do venture north. This pest has the ability to destroy the entire crop where it is not controlled so it is a constant battle to control them. In addition to its favorite cabbages, they can also destroy horseradish, cauliflower, collards, mustard, Brussels sprouts, turnip, kohlrabi and radish.
And if that's not enough, in the absence of these favorite plants they can turn to tomato, potato, eggplant, okra, bean, asparagus, beet, weeds, fruit trees and field crops so their variety of diet is vast. These are true pests along with the related Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.
This is one of my preserved Harlequin Bugs that I ... (
show quote)
Excellent focus stack image.
Longshadow wrote:
Really neat!
Thanks, Longshadow. I appreciate the feedback.
raymondh wrote:
Great detail for a Raid wanted poster!
Thanks, Raymondh. "Spray'em if you Got'em".
Thanks for dropping by and for the reply.
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.