Red Dwarf Spiders

Question: I have red dwarf spiders all over a watermelon in my garden.  I first saw them in a cluster on the mellow, but they started to move out as I took the attached picture. Are they harmful to my plant/garden?

responder: Catherine Freay  Replied July 02, 2024, 8:13 AM EDT
response: These appear to be the nymphs of the milkweed assassin bug Zelus longipes. The photo you sent is very out of focus. If they are assassin bugs, they are highly beneficial insects. They eat a variety of insects including aphids, armyworms, stink bugs, houseflies, etc. If you could submit another photo that is crystal clear, I can confirm ID. I have attached a link if you would like to read more about these insects : https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/bugs/zelus_longipes.htm

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 02, 2024, 3:38 PM EDT
response: Hi.  Thanks for the quick response.  I tried to access my question on your web page so I could add new pictures.  But, I kept getting the same screen asking for my question number.  So, I couldn’t add this follow-up to my question string.  Sorry.   Anyway, I read the info below about milkweed assassin.  I think they could be nymphs as you suggest.  They are clustered together with suggest they are recently hatched?  Here are a couple more pictures.   Assuming they are milkweed assassins.  What should I do?  They mostly appear to be “good” in that they eat insects I don’t like, but they also eat insects I do like.  Should I just hope they eat more of those I don’t like?  It appears that they won’t eat my watermelons.  Right?   Thanks,      Carole     From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Tuesday, July 2, 2024 8:13 AM To: csylvester sylhome.net <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Red Dwarf Spiders (#0145433)

responder: Catherine Freay  Replied July 03, 2024, 7:02 AM EDT
response: FYI, your added comments, questions and photos did show up in the original question string.  Thanks for sending nice, clear photos, too.   These bugs are predators only and will not eat your watermelon or any of your other plants.  As for eating good and bad insects, that's life. These milkweed assassin bugs are native and as such, a working part of the local ecosystem. An ecosystem is a community of living organisms and their physical environment that interact with each other in a specific area. The checks and balances have evolved over many ages. The milkweed bugs eat certain insects and they, in turn, are the food for some other creature. That's how nature works.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 03, 2024, 2:52 PM EDT
response: Thanks!  I have another question.     A friend sent me pictures of a leaf-footed bug.  My concern is that since I found these bugs clustered on my garden plant, they might be leaf-footed bugs instead of assassin nymphs.  I’m good with the assassins, but I don’t think I want the leaf-footed bugs around sucking juice from my tomatoes, etc.  How can I tell the difference & should I treat for the leaf-footed?  A mixture of water, neem oil, & peppermint oil was recommended for the leaf-footed bugs.     Thoughts?      Thanks   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Wednesday, July 3, 2024 7:02 AM To: csylvester sylhome.net <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Red Dwarf Spiders (#0145433)

responder: Catherine Freay  Replied July 04, 2024, 11:18 AM EDT
response: The nymphs of the eastern leaffooted bug look almost identical to the milkweed assassin bug.  I would suggest that you take a sample of the nymphs in your garden to your local extension office.  I would not treat for leaffooted bug unless you have a positive ID.  https://extension.osu.edu/lao#county

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 05, 2024, 11:36 AM EDT
response: Thanks!  You’ve been most helpful.  I’ll check with you again when I have another question.   ~ Carole     From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Thursday, July 4, 2024 11:19 AM To: csylvester sylhome.net <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Red Dwarf Spiders (#0145433)

responder: Catherine Freay  Replied July 06, 2024, 8:05 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.