Someone I.D. this Red Bug please.

Maveri9720

I have just noticed them within the past couple weeks. They were on my Trident Maple and were clustered up on one leaf, like they are in this pic, so I pulled the leaf and squashed them. Now, I noticed them on one of my yard trees, so I thought I would take a pic and see if anyone here can tell me what they are and if they are harmful in any way.

I haven't seen them on my Trident again and there wasn't any apparent damage, just curious as to what they might be.

Thanks in advance.

Mitch

Attached Images

	Red Bugs 2.jpg (53.4 KB, 36 views)
	Red Bugs.jpg (26.9 KB, 36 views)

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cbobgo

they look like ants, but a bit redder than usual. If they are ants, they won't bother the tree (unless they are leaf cutting ants.) But, usually ants on a tree are a sign of other problems - aphids or scale - that the ants actually "farm." The aphids produce a nectar like substance that the ants use as food. The aphids or scale can definately cause damage to the tree.

- bob

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ethanopia

They look like to aphids to me or at least a close relative, so I would blow them away with a good blast from a hose.

Do this twice a day and you should be done them in a few days...

The key factor that it looks to me like they have is a soft body, which means they are not tough animals, very suceptable to absorbing chemicals like insect soap and such through their skin and on top of that they pop when you pinch em'