What is this bug? (forum)

Thao starts with ...
Can someone tell me what is this bug? There're lots of these bugs in my garden. I wonder if these bugs are harmful to my herbs, flowers and fruit trees. What should I do to get rid of them?

Thank you.

Thao
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Time: 2nd April 2009 1:03pm

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About the Author Thao
Sydney
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Dekka says...
It's called the Plague Soldier Beetle. "Plague" because they gather in huge numbers to breed. In the Newcastle area you'll see them massed on dune plants along the coast sometimes. They eat pollen, nectar and other insects and are not a problem in your garden, in fact, they are probably beneficial. No need to get rid of them.
The Macadamia Nut Borer that misguided Montgomery had a stab at is actually a moth.

Time: 2nd April 2009 8:20pm

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About the Author Dekka
Newcastle
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Brendan says...
Found this critter causing some damage on my avocado tree leaves. It had a very hard shell (back).
I've never seen one before.
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Time: 8th August 2011 7:49am

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Mackay, Q
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amanda says...
It looks like a weird ladybird doesn't it?

Time: 8th August 2011 9:10am

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. Mide West WA.
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Xiem says...
You may have found a rare ladybird there Brendan. Just looking on some of the ladybird sites on the internet I can't see that one. There is a cream spotted ladybird that is very rare but it doesn't have the same pattern. Maybe you could send the picture to CSIRO Division of Entymology in Canberra who would tell you what it is. Would be interested to know if you find out anything.

Time: 8th August 2011 1:49pm

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amanda says...
I agree Xiem - I googled orange and brown ladybird images and rare Aust ladybird images - some are the saqme colours - but not the same patterns.

I'd get it checked out Brendan...(if no-one else knows what it is?)

Time: 8th August 2011 9:51pm

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. Mide West WA.
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Brendan says...
Thanks for that Xiem & amanda, I'll have him checked out and get back to you.
His shell was so hard I couldn't squash him with my fingers, and he was having a feed on my Hass avo.

I thought someone would say, "It's the N.Q. avocado leaf-eating beetle!" :-)

Time: 9th August 2011 7:18am

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Mackay, Q
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Nick says...
Perhaps try Gardening Australia, they might know. :)

Time: 9th August 2011 5:23pm

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About the Author Nick T
Altona, VIC
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allybanana says...
Dotted-lines Leaf Beetle - Paropsis ornata

Subfamily Chrysomelinae, FAMILY CHRYSOMELIDAE http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_leafbeetles/DottedLines.htm

Also called turtle beetles thousands of a similar species them wash up on the beach hear some years. The genus is known for grazing Eucalyptus.

Time: 10th August 2011 6:58am

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About the Author allybanana
Eden
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amanda says...
Nice one allybanana... :)

Time: 11th August 2011 12:38am

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. Mide West WA.
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Jason says...
I'm not expert on solar panels but shouldn't it be facing North anyway, seems a silly place to point one

Time: 11th August 2011 3:18am

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About the Author Jason
Portland
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Julie says...
I think you might be posting in the wrong thread. Couldn't see anything about solar panels here.

Time: 12th August 2011 12:33am

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About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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Brendan says...
Thanks allybanana. He was doing more damage to my avocado tree than shown on that site. I'll have to check for more.

Time: 12th August 2011 7:25am

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About the Author Brendan
Mackay, Q
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