Pacha Posted August 28, 2009 Hi, Remember this small pup I cut off a rotten bridgesii? Well it appear that this insect type found it as a nice feeding ground. Can you identify this critter and if they are bad for my cacti, or can there be a symbiotic relationship between them? I have noticed them before on other cacti I grow and I am not sure if they are a trouble, but still it is normal to have some concerns when you see them sitting there, maybe they eat other smaller parasites and helping the cacti by that or maybe they eat bits of the cacti itself and slowing its growth, tell me if I have anything to worry about. Gracias Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bit Posted August 28, 2009 Can't identify it sorry. Any visible damage? Props for the good macro photos! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pacha Posted August 28, 2009 Can't identify it sorry. Any visible damage?Props for the good macro photos! I don't see any damage at all, I started noticing them a few weeks ago, somehow I am not so worried. They weave some sort of spiderweb like strings and also fly around, I killed 3 of them and felt that I am not doing much good and they may be harmless or even helpful by feeding on other smaller organisms which are hurtful for cacti. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pacha Posted August 28, 2009 More pics of a larger specimen of the same insect sitting on the spine of my other cacti, notice some of the spines are deformed could it be the reason for this. Maybe its favorite dish are the spines? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
~shameless~ Posted August 28, 2009 Doesnt look like anything iv seen before, closest thing i could think of would be 'passion vine hopper', but they look quite different Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kapitän kamasutra Posted August 28, 2009 (edited) Hi pacha! You have got a bug there. Mabe its a Anthocoridae which feeds on spider mites, so it would be good to have that insect, but other bugs eat plant juice and i'm not 100% shure that it is what i think Edited August 30, 2009 by spined Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pacha Posted August 28, 2009 hi pacha! you have got a bug there. mabe its a Anthocoridae which feeds on spider mites, so it would be good to have that insect, but other bugs eat plant juice and i'm not 100% shure that it is what i think Hey spined thanks for the info, I looked over google and yes, it does very much look like this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Loricula.sp.male.1.jpg only its more grayish and paler, but the physical and shape resemblence looks the same, makes me less worried. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThunderIdeal Posted August 29, 2009 it is not an assassin bug like you suggested though, you can see from the picture you posted their distinctive segmented shape (vaguely wasp like) and long proboscis which is extended or tucked under the abdomen. your critters segments are subtle to the eye. continue your monitoring but i don't recognise it as a major harmful insect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mutant Posted August 29, 2009 I wouldn't worry... But i am not sure.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
