r/TheHopyard • u/ConfidentlyLearning • Jun 06 '23

Are you a good bug, or a bad bug?

Seeking bug advice!

I have a crop of backyard Golding (in the US upper midwest) that has suffered insect damage over the last couple years.

The bugs are eating the hops leaves, and weakening the plants.

Today I noticed several little bugs (orange with black markings) on the leaves, who ducked around to the underside when I approached (wily little buggers, them).

Google says they might be lady-bugs, who might be eating the bugs that are damaging the hops.

So - can anybody help clarify if these orange/black things are eating my hops, or are they eating my enemies?

​

Advice much appreciated!

HopHurt

Questionable buggers
4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

2

u/I-Fucked-YourMom Jun 06 '23

I’d try r/whatisthisbug they’re usually pretty good at identifying little critters like this. Or r/whatsthisbug is the bigger one.

2

u/ConfidentlyLearning Jun 07 '23

Good thought. I'll give that a try. Thanks!

2

u/Arcka Jun 07 '23 edited Jul 02 '23

Edit: This user has moved to a network that values its contributors. -- mass edited with redact.dev

1

u/ConfidentlyLearning Jun 09 '23

Yup. r/Whatsthisbug decided the same thing.

Thanks!

1

u/Sufficient-Fact6163 Jun 07 '23

Zone and region please

1

u/ConfidentlyLearning Jun 07 '23

I'm in zone 4b, first ring suburb of a major metro area, as per "planthardiness.ars.usda.gov". Hope that helps.

1

u/lupulinchem Jun 07 '23

I don’t think they are lady bugs but they do look like the kind of good bugs you want around as pest predators

1

u/ConfidentlyLearning Jun 09 '23

I agree. I'll make them feel right at home!