What is this bug?

[orezok]

If they are assassin bugs, they are also comonly called kissing bugs. If they get into your house, they are attracted to carbon dioxide you exhale and will bite on the lips. They carry Chagas disease which is not a good thing to have. I would consult with an exterminator.

 

[BamaRob]

Yep, first and third pictures are of assassin bugs (with a juvenile and adult in the third picture).

BugGuide.Net

 

[Dozernut]

It is true that Kissing Bugs are Assassin Bugs. However there are around 3,000 known species of Assassin Bugs with only 12 of these being of the Kissing Bug strain. Most Assassin Bugs are beneficial but will bite if handled. As to the original poster I would be looking for the food source of the Assassin Bug, Aphids, Weevils and various other insects. FWIW the Boll Weevil has cost the Cotton Industry billions of dollars. It migrated from Mexico in 1892 and is here to stay.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Contact the Florida masters gardners program. I think they are part of the cooperative extension. They will have any info you need.

 

[tile]

I have emailed my county extension and I just received a reply from them. I have posted the reply at the bottom of this post. I think it will take a bit to figure out exactly what is going on with my garden. You guys are a great help, just want to say thanks.

Dozernut, you might be right about the food source for the assassin bug. They are here for a reason and we know there was a weevil.

REPLY FROM COUNTY EXT.

It does indeed look like and assasin bug and it's nymph. They attack caterpillars and
flies mostly. Have your leaves been getting chewed? I would suspect that the assasin bugs
are probably not up to the task of handling some caterpiller or worm or grasshopper that
is having its way with your patch.

Do you have any BT? It stants for bacillus thurinnngiensis and it is good on
caterpillars. It is sold as Dipel, Javelin or Thuricide.

END OF REPLY

 

[jonbravado]

be careful, some assassin bug's bite is really nasty. hurts like ****.

but they will keep the catapillars down- it's a tough call, just don't let em bite you.

J

 

[ScottOkla]

Assassin bugs are great for pecan growers. They seem to show up in good numbers when there are high populations of pests.