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Entomology (Study of Bugs)/Tiny Red Insects
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Question
Hi Ed,
Wondering if you can help me. I live in Minnesota and have just noticed clusters of tiny red bugs with black legs, on my wood deck. I would guess they are approx 1 mm in length, they have 6 legs and antennae. I've never seen these before and not sure what to do about them. It looks like they are laying eggs as well. Any help in identifying them or what I should do about them would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Laurie
Dear Laurie - Even though they are quite small, taking a photo or two that you could attach to a follow-up question would help. There are at least two distinct possibilities: (1) Mites, such as clover mites, and (2) newly hatched nymphs of true bugs (Hemiptera/Heteroptera) in the family Pentatomidae (commonly called stinkbugs). Clover mites have eight legs, but the first pair are much longer than the others, and the mites often wave them about like antennae. See http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/4dmg/images/clvmite1.jpg and http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2095.html for an image and information on the mites and http://magickcanoe.com/insects/hatching-stinkbugs-1-large.jpg for an image of newly hatched stinkbugs.
Clover mites are nuisance pests that do no damage, and specific control methods usually are not warranted. Most stinkbugs are plant pests, but a few species are beneficial predators. If after reviewing the material I cited you believe that you have bug nymphs, you might try contacting your county Cooperative Extension agent for advice - see http://www.extension.umn.edu/offices/ for contact information.
Hope this helps,
Saugy
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Answers by Expert:
Ed Saugstad
Expertise
Will accept most questions in general entomology, including those related to medical entomology, taxonomy, ecology, arthropod surveillance, and pest management. If you are requesting a 'mystery bug' identification, PLEASE either attach an image to your question, or post an image on a web page (such as Flickr) so that I can look at it, as verbal descriptions frequently are insufficient for a definitive identification.
Experience
21 years in the U.S. Army as a medical entomologist; duties varied from surveillance of pest populations (including mosquitoes, cockroaches, ticks, and stored products pests) to conducting research on mosquito-virus ecological relationships and mosquito faunal studies. Ten years as a civilian analyst for the Department of Defense, primarily on distribution of vector-borne diseases worldwide. Limited experience on surveillance of agricultural insects in North Dakota and Indiana.
Organizations
Entomological Society of America, West Virginia Entomological Society, Society for Vector Ecology, National Speleological Society, West Virginia Association for Cave Studies.
Publications
American Journal of Public Health, Contributions of the American Entomological Institute, Japanese Journal of Sanitary Zoology, Journal of Economic Entomology, Mosquito News, and Mosquito Systematics.
Education/Credentials
B.S. in entomology from North Dakota State University in 1963, M.S. in entomology from Purdue University in 1967.
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