It's definitely the bean beetle. This one above has more spots, but after seeing one spot turn to two, it might just be they get older and they get more spots. I've also gone at it with the squash bugs and they are a type of stink bug, they are armored and fairly large. I have only once seen a squash bug fly, didn't know they had wings, but I searched every squash bug, stink bug, I could find, so I am aware of the stink bug you are referring only by picture, none found in the yard yet. I didn't take a picture because I am fairly sure it's the been beetle, just don't know why they are dive bombing my tomatoes. Do they like cannas, lilies, or elephant ears? I hope not, the only bean I planted was nubbed down by a goold ole' rabbit/mole/deer/groundhog/squirrel. I have to say the rabbits are hiding better this year, unlike the groundhog and the squirrel. Well, anyways I found my culprit, it's definitely a red bean beetle, now just to find out what he's eating. I hope not my castor bean plant, isn't it poisonous to bugs too? They are only flying around the tomatoes and those flowers I mentioned above, plus the honeysuckle bush.

Northspruce. No they weren't. I wish they had been. The more of the ladies the better. I never did find them lurking on any of the plants, just on the outside of the house, and I didn't have them last year. I've ordered a Rodale's book called The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Natural Pest and Disease Control, and it apparently has pictures of insects, so if I'm lucky I'll be able to identify it just for curiosity sake now. Oh, BTW, was it you that suggested the book Caring for Perennials - What to Do and When to Do It? I have it on order =:) If I keep this up we're going to need another room in the house.

Thanks for responding, rhizo. I don't have access to the picture right now. Sometimes I cannot stand the searches on the internet. Everything leads to products and companies. I also found my question of a "couple of years ago" as in June 16, 2011. That is a little more than a couple. At that time "box elder" was what most seemed to say. However, these are round, not oblong. I do think the consensus was box elder, and just do not let them in the house. This year there are so many that I have become more concerned. They are all over the patio and porch. They are everywhere I try to dig. I am still reluctant to spray, except I sprayed Raid on the cement steps trying to stop them from coming into the house. My neighbor's tree is a maple, so the answer may be box elder, but i see no images online that are of round bugs like I have. They are easy to kill on the concrete, and smear a little red. I do not see legs, and they are not spiders. Do any of you have them? Sammy

Are they eating your asiatic lilies?