Had these red and black things hatching everywhere yesterday after the recent rain - what are they? Thanks - Jimmy
Bug ID please......
Hard to tell by the picture (close up might help). I get leaf footed bugs every year on butterfly weeds. They don't seem to harm my plants but they aren't pleasant looking. It looks like they went to town on your hosta though.
Try one of the following:
Leaf footed bug (Leptoglossus phyllopus)
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:LeptoglossusPhyllopus-nymph-.jpg
Box Elder Bug (Boisea trivittatus).
http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/natural/insects/bugsfaq/boxeld.htm
I see those around once in a while but don't know what it is. Never that many at once, however.
They sure look like box elder bugs to me.I think they are nector seekers, and cause a mess, like sticky stuff where they go.Mike