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Pests or not?

yorkiethorntonyorkiethornton Posts: 100
in Fruit & veg
Hi. Does anyone know whether these black insects should be dealt with and if so any advice? There are dozens and more on squash and poppy flowers. Flyers as well! Wife want too impressed with them invading the washing line 😄 thanks.
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Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 18,121
    They are just thunder bugs, I think. Not harming your plants. They come and go.
  • yorkiethorntonyorkiethornton Posts: 100
    Fire said:
    They are just thunder bugs, I think. Not harming your plants. They come and go.
    Hi and thank you!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,980
    edited June 2018
    Pollen beetles, and they're pollinating your courgettes ... they are your friends.  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,359
    I call those Pollen Beetles, otherwise agree with Fire
    Think hard before 'dealing with' they're all part of the cycle of life and if you spray those the beneficial insects will die as well 


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    They are pollen beetles:

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • yorkiethorntonyorkiethornton Posts: 100
    Dovefromabove said:
    Pollen beetles, and they're pollinating your courgettes ... they are your friends.  :)
    Nice one thanks
  • yorkiethorntonyorkiethornton Posts: 100
    nutcutlet said:
    I call those Pollen Beetles, otherwise agree with Fire
    Think hard before 'dealing with' they're all part of the cycle of life and if you spray those the beneficial insects will die as well 
    Thanks ... advice noted and yes, will leave alone. Cheers.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,359
    :)



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • FireFire Posts: 18,121
    It turns out there are lots of insects called thunder bugs and lots called pollen beetles.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,359
    Fire said:
    It turns out there are lots of insects called thunder bugs and lots called pollen beetles.
    True, as with the use of proper names for plants. The common ones are imprecise and cover several species.


    In the sticks near Peterborough
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