Identifying pests/eggs

15 years ago

I was clearing out a bed this weekend and discovered some "things" that look like tiny black, shiny seeds on top of some of the dirt and on top of the nearby stepping stones. In the same area, we found pillbugs or sowbugs; so, we thought maybe the small black, shiny seed-like things might be pillbug eggs or sowbug eggs. I read on the Inernet, however, that pillbug and sowbug eggs are white, so I guess we were wrong. Does anyone know what these little black things might be? I want to get rid of them if they are pest eggs, but I'd like to keep them if they are bugs that are beneficial to the garden. Thanks.

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timewind
15 years ago
I don't have a useful specific answer to your question, but a look in a field guide to insects may help, and a call and/or visit to your local cooperative extension service almost certainly will. They can help you find an expert in what is in your area.
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/
Is the national address. I'll put the Oregon one in below. If you bring them some of the eggs in some sort of small sealed container (I would have said film can a few years ago, I almost said pill bottle just now, I guess I'm showing my age ;) They should either be able to identify them or get them to a scientist who can.

Here is a link that might be useful: Oregon State University Cooperative Extension web site
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Identifying pests/eggs

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timewind

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