Author Topic: Stinkbugs on a Bearing Lychee Tree (Read 5378 times)

SWRancher · « **on:** May 17, 2015, 11:18:45 AM »

Normally I don't have many insect issues so I mostly let the trees fend for themselves. This morning I noticed a lot of these two types of bugs on my bearing Kaimana Lychee tree. I'm guessing the little red ones are baby/larval weevils? The fruit are almost ready to harvest should I treat for them now or wait until the lychee are harvested? Any advice on how to best control, chemicals, etc...?

Andrew · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2015, 11:56:58 AM »

Stink bugs and nymph assassin bugs. I believe the assassin bugs are beneficial to have.

HMHausman · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2015, 11:59:48 AM »

Correct ID by Andrew. The assassins are beneficial and the stink bugs do damage the fruit by piercing the skin of the fruits.

Dangermouse01 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2015, 12:19:28 PM »

Stink bug nymphs and Assassin bug (Wheel bug) nymphs are very similar looking.
Just by the number of the red nymphs in the photo, I would say stink bug nymphs as they tend to cluster.
I believe the Assassin bug nymphs are more solitary.

DM

Andrew · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2015, 12:50:02 PM »

Quote from: Dangermouse01 on May 17, 2015, 12:19:28 PM

Stink bug nymphs and Assassin bug (Wheel bug) nymphs are very similar looking.
Just by the number of the red nymphs in the photo, I would say stink bug nymphs as they tend to cluster.
I believe the Assassin bug nymphs are more solitary.

DM

Your right. They are red leaf footed nymph stink bugs. Like all stink bugs they can pierce fruit and cause damage to fruit trees.

gpuccio · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2015, 01:14:39 PM »

Just pluck the non beneficial ones off the tree wherever you spot them for now. No spray needed. Squish them

bsbullie · « **Reply #6 on:** May 17, 2015, 02:22:36 PM »

Based on th numbers in the pictures and the size of the tree (which i dont know), manual removal of these insects by hand may be futile to say the least. How close to harvest are the lychees? Do you have other fruiting lychees nearby?

puglvr1 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2015, 02:27:16 PM »

Are assasin bugs (brown bugs on the picture) the same as Weevils? (Title of his post)

Andrew · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2015, 05:39:39 PM »

Quote from: puglvr1 on May 17, 2015, 02:27:16 PM

Are assasin bugs (brown bugs on the picture) the same as Weevils? (Title of his post)

Yeah, there is a mix up with title. Those brown bugs are stink bugs and the small red ones are the juvenile form. Weevils and the assassin bugs are two completely different insects( both are not pictured in the photos above).

puglvr1 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 17, 2015, 06:49:06 PM »

Thanks Andrew! I'm really hoping I never get weevils...just wanted to make sure I knew what I'm looking for

bsbullie · « **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2015, 06:55:12 PM »

The infamous Sri Lankan Root Weevil.

SWRancher · « **Reply #11 on:** May 17, 2015, 07:44:53 PM »

Quote from: bsbullie on May 17, 2015, 02:22:36 PM

Based on th numbers in the pictures and the size of the tree (which i dont know), manual removal of these insects by hand may be futile to say the least. How close to harvest are the lychees? Do you have other fruiting lychees nearby?

Rob,

I tried picking them off but not even an hour latter many more were back on the tree, so manual removal is not going to work. The tree is about 8 feet tall and about the same across. Most of the fruit are very close to harvest, I think I'll do that tomorrow. I have one other fruiting lychee tree nearby but most of its fruit were already picked. Any ideas how to prevent in the future?

Tony

bsbullie · « **Reply #12 on:** May 17, 2015, 07:51:49 PM »

I was going to recommend harvesting them if they were close. You can buy stink bug traps. There are also some homemade versions but i dont know how effective they are. Might want to just go with store bought.

Carbo · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2015, 08:01:23 PM »

Those damn weevils are all over my Cogshall. Requires twice daily walks around the tree to pluck 'em off and keep them under control.
Also, just went outside now and my yard is swarming with some kind of small brown insect, (beetle of some type based on appearance?). They seem to be interested only in each other as they land on the tree and pair up. No pics right now, but does anyone want to take a guess as to what I'm dealing with?

y0rascal · « **Reply #14 on:** May 17, 2015, 09:37:50 PM »

ThOse little brown nettles eat the leaves also and they multiply like no other. Tried using sevin on them and they continued doing their thing. They come out in full force at night and munch on my mango tree leaves. I have diaprepes root weevils which are a bigger cacaroach size weevil. I see their droppings on my tree leaves. Found some today while inspecting in between the leaves along with the brown beetle.

LivingParadise · « **Reply #15 on:** May 17, 2015, 09:58:47 PM »

You've got nothing to lose in spraying them with an organic insecticide/oil/soap. It'll probably kill them all off, and prevent new ones, and won't affect the fruit - it can just be washed off, or will come off on its own in the rain (or with a hose if you choose right before harvesting).

val · « **Reply #16 on:** May 17, 2015, 11:40:45 PM »

https://youtu.be/q7v9VvNzmhE

This worked for me but it requires diligence.

puglvr1 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 18, 2015, 01:16:58 PM »

Quote from: bsbullie on May 17, 2015, 06:55:12 PM

The infamous Sri Lankan Root Weevil.

Ugh!!! Those are some pretty ugly bugs! Thanks for the picture Rob!

fyliu · « **Reply #18 on:** May 18, 2015, 01:39:57 PM »

I've had lots of leaf footed bugs on my lychee in the past. Did the manual picking but they still made holes and lots of fruits went bad. It was a good year for them and the bugs just kept coming.

Mark in Texas · « **Reply #19 on:** May 18, 2015, 02:43:23 PM »

Quote from: Dangermouse01 on May 17, 2015, 12:19:28 PM

Stink bug nymphs and Assassin bug (Wheel bug) nymphs are very similar looking.
Just by the number of the red nymphs in the photo, I would say stink bug nymphs as they tend to cluster.
I believe the Assassin bug nymphs are more solitary.

DM

You are correct and at that young (red) stage is the time to nail those bugs from hell. Thiodan is a good killer, Sevin works while they're young.

Unless you have a lot of time on your hands and are OK with partial success but will accept the damage, hand picking is the way to go I guess. They also love tomatoes and other fruits. If they start congregating on tomatoes, you might as well throw in the towel unless you're willing to use something like Thiodan. Every time they pierce the skin they will inject saliva which turns into a big round uneatable blemish.

Like all pesticides, follow the label and you'll be fine.

Mark

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Author Topic: Stinkbugs on a Bearing Lychee Tree (Read 5378 times)