Answers:
1) Thanks to Emily's help, the bug has been identified as the Milkweed Assassin Bug, Zelus longipes, nymph. They do bite humans, and from what I've read, it can be painful!
Quick Facts (from Texas AgriLife Extension Service)
Common Name: Milkweed Assassin Bug
Genus / Species: Zelus longipes
Size: 1/2 inch
Type of Beneficial: Insect predator
Type of Metamorphosis: Immature stages are similar in appearance to adult stage (i.e., simple metamorphosis)
Beneficial Stage(s): Immatures (known as nymphs) and adults
Prey: Wide variety of prey including flies, caterpillars, beetles, mosquitoes, etc.
2) I think we must have picked up a white nectarine rather than a peach tree - either because the tree was labeled incorrectly or we just got disheveled trying to pick out the healthiest looking tree. I don't know. It was tree we purchased over a year ago.
Google "Assassin Bug".......not sure about the missing-fuzz :)
ReplyDeleteDo these bugs eat my peaches or the other bugs that are eating my peaches? I think the birds have been pecking holes in the fruit as well.
ReplyDelete