Some days, the bugs in the garden are waspy or tiny or ant-y or eggy. But one day this past week, they were shiny.
First, I spotted this green beetle near the zucchini, but by the time I’d gone in to get my camera, he was long gone.
The next day, though, he was running along the sidewalk when I went to take out the trash. I had to chase him through the grass and over to the shed on the property line between our house and George’s, but I got him.
I wish I’d managed to catch him out in the direct sunlight, because then it would be even clearer how metallic he is. Any ideas on what he might be?
Later, over by the Big Boy pepper plants, this fly caught my eye. All flies are shiny, but this one struck me as particularly iridescent.
On Friday, I wandered out to the garden briefly, under the auspices of checking the temperatures outside, and nearly kicked myself when I noticed this bizarrely striped bug and didn’t have my camera. Rule Number One: Always carry the camera to the garden. It’s not like it’s heavy.
Luckily, by the time I ran back inside and returned, he was still hanging out at the pepper plants. This guy’s not technically shiny, but with a coat of many colors like this, he deserves entrance to the party. Has anyone seen this bug before? Any idea what it is?
I know they might not all bring happiness and health to our plants, but a part of me stands in support of disco bugs and Shiny Bug Day.
The Inadvertent Gardener 
The third bug is a red-banded leafhopper, Graphocephala coccinea. They’re common here in Brooklyn.
Xris, thanks for the information! I figure now that I’ve seen one, I’ll see tons of them, even though I’ve never seen one before. Are they pest-ish? Should I be trying to remove them if I see them?
Genie
The green beetle is very pretty, but I’m suspicious of all beetles except for fireflies. I see a lot of metallic green flies in my garden and the seem to be harmless. The leafhoppers I think are pesty, but a trip to google should clear that up.
Uh-oh…What’s That Bug reports the following on the Graphocephala coccinea: “They feed on the juices of weeds and cultivated plants. When they feed, they inject saliva into the plant which inhibits the sap from running, eventually resulting in wilting and leaf drop.”
I wonder if that’s what’s happening to our tomato plant?
Genie
hmmm….your third bug is my third bug so it’s good to know what it is and what to do with it!
ps. i like your website. your writing style is witty and makes me laugh.
i don’t know why the wacky writing in my last comment. i tried to post a link to my site so you could see the bugs. oh well!
Rachelle — I went and checked out your bug — yes, same as mine! Hope that info helps you out. I’m sorry to hear he’s not garden-friendly, because he really is cool-looking. Thanks for visiting and for your sweet comments!
In regards to the firt insect I believe it is called the Ground Beetle or a more technical name is Carabid. They do come in forms of dark colors and also shiny or metalic green, but you will mostly find them to be dark brown or black.
Katey, thanks for the information — that’s interesting. I’m glad I saw the shiny kind…they’re much fancier. :-)
So these shiny green beattles can zap the jucies from my tomato leaves? I caught a couple of them mating on my tomato plants today. I never thought they would bother the plants.
Farmer Dave, I suggest picking them off the plants when you see them.
Top photo:
Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris)
Length 14mm
An active, ground-dwelling beetle of sandy places including heaths and dunes. Upperparts are usually green with pale spots on elytra; legs and thorax margins are shiny bronze. Widespread and locally common. Seen May-July, this beetle is an active and ferocious predator.
what is the second bug? the iridescent fly? or more importantly are they helpful or harmful? because I see a couple of them in my garden
5-18-09
Found the shiny green beetle picture one this a.m. under a plant
tray,magnificent color in the sun. It must of came from purchased
tomato plants we’re hardening off and holding till the temps
rise. First thought-EMERALD ash borer, color sure fit. Will have
show and tell then ???. Darien,IL
The first bug looks like the one that I found under my desk at work, and I found it because it BIT me! I am pretty sure it is a bark-gnawing beetle called Temnoscheila. Very pretty, but don’t get too close to the pincers!