Bruce
If you want to send a photo of the orange and brown stages we can take a look and see if they are the same?
Orange to Brown Assassins by: Bruce
I'm in Central Florida west of Orlando. I've found insects similar to this on my new Blueberry plants in just the last few days. The small ones are very orange and they become a brown color as they're growing. They do have the proboscus so must be Assiassins.
Assassin becoming vegetarian by: Moni
Micah
It could be that the insect on your cucumber was a relative of the assassin...being a squash bug. There are many true bugs that feed on plants and many of their young are reddish in color.
You said you are from Katy...would let me know where that is so I can research better what true bugs are in your area that might feed on cucumbers??
Thanks, Moni
vegetarian assassins by: Micah in Katy
I live in Katy and I am having the same issue with my lime trees. These little red buggers are everywhere. I have a garden next to my lime tree and they infested the garden in late summer to the point where we had to get rid of all the cucumber plants. I left the so called assassins be thinking they were benoficial but I think that they have decided to become vegetarian. Is this possible? Any information would be great. Thanks.
Milkweed assassin bug by: Moni
Daria,
Your critter looks like the nymph or young stage of the Milkweed assassin bug. The angle does not show the mouthparts, but it should have a "beak" on the underside of the head. This beak is for sucking the fluids out of prey. The little black specks on the legs must be litter of some sort...tho it if they are part of the insect we would need a clearer and closer photo.
The assassin bugs are predators, so they feed on other insects and worms. This is called the milkweed assassin bug as it looks like milkweed bugs. If it has been on your lime tree for several months, then perhaps you have another pest on your plant that is causing the black spots...and the assassin bug is eating the pest. What other critters have you seen on your plant?
It could very easily be that the black spots are caused by a disease. The assassin bugs are just keeping insect pests off of your lime. If you have a closeup photo of the leaves that might help.
In either case it would be best not to spray the lime with any insecticide as you will kill your helpers. Should you find another critter on the lime get a photo and perhaps we could help if control of something is needed.
Enjoy those limes...we northerners are jealous!
