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Red bugs on fartichokes
Marco de Jong
Posts: 44
An army of small, red beetles have invaded my Jerusalem artichokes! They do not seem to do any damage, but they have just been there for a few days, so the damage can still come...
Does anybody know what they are ( about half an inch long, red) and if I have to get rid if them???
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How about a photo Marco
In the sticks near Peterborough
They're always know as fartichokes here Verdun. Taste like dirt and the name says it all.
Are the bugs on the leaves or in the ground Marco?
In the sticks near Peterborough
They are on the leaves and stems, mating like mad.
I saw these today as well Marco and wondered what they were. I also took a photo so I could ask tonight. You beat me to it and your photo is better AAll we know is that there are going to be many more of them!
As pansyface guessed, they are cardinal beetles. A goodie and won't touch your plants as they predate on other insects. Lucky you!
http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/red-headed-cardinal-beetle
They eat the larvae of other insects, so hopefully they'll be protecting your plants
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thank you all!
LesleyK: it's not my own photograph, it's from the internet...
Marco
Good news on the beetle front. Thanks all.