Here's another pic.

Nikos, I have no idea, but good heavens, I want to know, too! I can't imagine it's a beneficial bug -- and to have so many!!

Grace

I've never seen anything like that before but damn it scares me. Here ya go, go find your bug!

http://bugguide.net/node/view/60

Happy hunting!

Going by looks and swarm behavior, they can't be good. They don't look like beneficial predators either (like ladybugs or assasin bugs), therefore i would get rid of them asap.

Wait the more I look at these pics I realize they're two dofferet Beatles. One is all black the other with white spots....

GET RID OF THEM!

Someone quick, ID these guys. I am afraid for the OP. It looks bad...but is it?
Bruce

Not sure of your location but check this out as a possibility.

Here is a link that might be useful: Swarm beetle

Interesting that with so many of them on the plant, that there are no holes in the leaves.

Are they anywhere else in your garden, or just on the pepper plants?

Alex

I'm very bad at I.D., but one thing I've learned recently is that most predators don't hang in bunches. They tend to go their own way.

Post the pic on the "pests and diseases" forum. They'll tell you.

Kevin

Not sure of your growing location. But they look like the Kudzu bug that is invading the southeast. They stay in swarms. An not only eat kudzu but also soybean. They are related to the stink bug. Cause when threatened they give a foul smell.

Not sure what they are, but, if I were guessing, I'd say they are in the nymph stage. Maybe they're all grouped because they just hatched. Just a thought.

when I saw the title of this thread I assumed someone was just choosing a clever way to announce that they're posting pictures of their pods. maybe I'm too much of an optimist.

BUMP

Replying on another bug thread reminded me of this thread.
I am dying - DYING - to know what this is. It's like one of those things where the more something grosses you out or scares you -- you can't help but look at it more!

Nikos -- did you ever find out what this is? What happened to the plant?

if you don't want to, would you mind if I reposted to the pest forum?

Grace

They are baby"green vegetable bugs" they start off black...aka stink bug
Not sure if the damage a whole lot..maybe eat holes in leave ...correct name is"nezara viridula"

This post was edited by tony469 on Wed, Jul 10, 13 at 0:34

I'm not the OP but thank you, Tony! God, do they always travel in such swarms?
Looks like around the third instar based on the diagram below.

So glad I know what it is!

Here is a link that might be useful: Bug info - Wiki