Since a week we have been suffering from small (2-3mm), black flying beetles in the evening in the garden. They are mainly attracted to light and they just come through the holes in the fly screen. in the morning they are gone again or they lie dead on the kitchen table. Anyone have an idea what those bugs could be and what we can do about it? Can they sit in trees? My back neighbor has 2 large trees, but they have been there for some years and this is the first time that we are bothered by them.
Answer
Dear Debby,
I fear that an identification of these beetles without a photo is impossible. The number of different species of beetles in the garden is too extensive. Is it possible to take some clear pictures? If this is practically difficult because of the small size, you can always catch a few beetles and send them in a sturdy jar to the ILVO Diagnosis Center for Plants (Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 96, 9820 Merelbeke).
Then we can identify the insect in the lab using a stereomicroscope and identification keys, and also provide you with more information about its way of life and its host plants.
kind regards,
Hans
Answered by
Hans Casteels
identification of pest insects in agriculture and horticulture, stock goods and homes
Burg. van Gansberghelaan 96 box 1 9820 Merelbeke
http://www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be
.