Hobbies And Interests
Big-Eyed Bugs
A gardener can easily spot the black-and-white, silver-winged, big-eyed bug. Appropriately named, this bug has large black, bulging eyes sticking out of the sides of its head. These bugs prey on chinch bugs, small caterpillars, insect eggs and mites.
Damsel Bugs
Gray, black or brown damsel bugs have long legs and narrow bodies. They eat small caterpillars, leafhoppers, insect eggs, aphids and plant bugs.
Chinch Bugs
Chinch bugs, more problematic in southern Maine, damage areas of thick-turfed golf courses and lawns. The dry periods from midsummer to early fall escalate the spread of the dead and dying areas of grass that indicate the presence of chinch bugs. The black-and-white adult is about 1/5 inch long, and the female can lay up to 500 eggs at a time.
Squash Bugs
Squash bugs in Maine consume cucurbits (vine crops) such as pumpkin and squash. Congregating around the base and stems, they can also be found under leaves. Both adults and nymphs suck sap from stems and leaves while injecting a toxic chemical that causes the plant to wilt turn black and become brittle. This toxin also causes yellow vine disease which causes the plant to turn yellow, wilt and die.
Tarnished Plant Bugs
Maine also has tarnished plant bugs that become active in early spring. These bugs deform apples and cause strawberries to become corky and deformed. They eat leaves of many plants causing them to curl and the plant to become susceptible to diseases.
Minute Pirate Bugs
Maine also has tiny black-and-white minute pirate bugs that enjoy mites, insect eggs, thrips and any other catchable insects.
Stink Bugs
Home gardens in Maine, as in many other states, are homes to stink bugs. These guys like to eat the fruit of plants such as corn, tomatoes, squash, pears, beans and beets. Fruit that has been attacked by these bugs becomes deformed and shrivel. Chickens and many common birds such as titmice love to feast on stinkbugs. One common stink bug is the green stink bug, which has the stinkbug five-segmented antennae and shield-like shape. Its natural predators include the tachinid fly. Another ubiquitous stink bug in Maine is the predaceous stink bug. This stink bug, not a plant eater like most of its relatives, attacks over 100 kinds of insects and particularly targets caterpillar and beetle larvae.