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Help ID Orange Ant-Like Insects on Key Lime

10 years ago

First off, I will thank you for all for the help I've gotten on this forum thru the last couple of years. My Key Lime has gone from a miserable little orphan into a monster with what has to be 50 - 80 limes on it. Too many to even count. Plus they are small and green so I can't even see the majority of them. But they are growing in clusters, amazing to see.

Anyhow, as usual I bring pics! :)

Are these orange ant-looking guys friend or foe? Maybe a nymph stage of something else? There's a bunch on the new flushes, and they are shy. They will scurry away at the sight of me with a camera.

Just wondering if they should be left alone to eat any problem bugs, or eradicated.

Thanks, all!

Here is a link that might be useful: Bug Pictures

Comments (3)

johnmerr
10 years ago
Looks like a nymph of a leaf footed bug; they are not beneficials and can damage citrus fruit. I would wash them off with a hose.
eibren
10 years ago
Try this link and the links from it--might be the same thing; looks similar to me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Google Image Link
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cleansc
Original Author
10 years ago
Excellent thanks. I just went out now 11:30 PM and they were all huddled under a single leaf perfectly in line along the leaf's edge for the night. A little creepy. About twenty of them.

Not anymore hah. Gave the tree a real nice strong blast with the hose. Dunno where they are now but will have another look tomorrow.

My single orange dog is still there. I leave one or two but remove any eggs I find. I'll host a couple of them for the swallowtails but no more than that.

Thanks all!

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