my garden nemesis

No matter how many rounds I make thru the garden (I'm up to one AM & one PM pass thru), or how vigilant I think I'm being, I can't keep on top of these darn Jagged Ambush Bugs.  arrgggh.  In case it's been keeping you awake nights wondering what they look like, here's one positioned in the Joe Pye:

They are the most skilled of warriors, let me tell you.  Several baby bumbles have already met their demise at the hands of these bugs and the Joe Pye is barely open. Last summer I almost decapitated all the Eupatorium because of the number of bees being killed among the fuzzy heads.  It's sure taken the fun out of watching it bloom in my front garden bed.  This year, I found the first bugs on the Veronicastrum (Culver's Root), another bee favorite.  Now that it's almost finished blooming, they are moving to the sunflowers, Joe Pye and Buddleia.  It's almost impossible to spot them hidden in the latter ~ they look like another eye amongst all the tiny flowers.  I find myself holding my breath whenever I see a butterfly on the flowers (remember the Monarch they snagged last summer?)  I can't be the only person with these things in my garden.  Research says they are found across the country and are a great source of frustration for beekeepers.  Anyone else spot them in your garden?

Comments

[tina]

I've not seen them before. It is most distressful seeing bugs killed by one another even though it is nature. I don't know what to say. Is there a control method your extension agent can help you with? Maybe you can knock down the population for next year? Usually the state has really good resources online that has bulletins on pests. Check it out and maybe with time you can knock them down.

[Robin]

That is a new one for me! Wow, what an ugly creature! I had problems with praying mantis eating the bees, butterflies and even going after the hummingbirds. I haven't seen too many of them this year though.

[Rob(ourfrenchgarden)]

First time I stopped by.

Your photography is beautiful.

That bug looks a proper mean fella

Rob

[Marnie]

I haven't seen this thing in my garden, thankfully. Evil looking. I hope you find a way to get rid of it. Maybe finding how they overwinter would give you a clue to destroying them. Bugs are always most vulnerable overwinter.

I usually move all the spiders out of the garden area because I'm afraid of them catching butterflies in their webs.
Marnie

[Connie]

That is one weird looking bug. Ugh!

[Catherine/gardenerprogress]

I've never seen them before, but I do remember reading about them recently on another blog. It's pretty creepy looking.

[Pam/Digging]

I've never seen or heard of this bug before. It's listed as a beneficial on one Texas site I checked, but it did acknowledge that they prey on bumblebees as well.

[Joy]

Kathleen I had no idea about these bugs girl ! Eeeuuuwww !
That picture is awesome though ... great detail !!
Now I have something more to watch out for ? Thanks a BUNCH !! LOL

[Frances]

Arghhhh! That photo should be the prototype for the next horror film! Those red beady eyes and huge grabbing legs, what's a gardener to do? I was looking yesterday on the Joy Pye, and did not see any. How large are they? I just planted Veronicastrum this year, they had better not be on there or I shall..... something bad.
Frances

[Gail]

They are devilishly good at hiding among the flowers and ambushing a sweet bee or helpful insect! They seem to be able to angle themselves just so that they are indistinguishable from a shadow. Now I am going to go look for them~~the bees and even small butterflies are in need of saving;-)

[Robin Leja]

Luckily, I've never seen this creep in my garden. And good thing too, they are pretty gross and scary looking!