Which one is the "True" Bug?

Spring this year has progressed very slowly compared to previous years, which is wonderful because it is my favorite season. However, with spring come all sorts of insects. Today I'd like to introduce three insects, but only one of them is a "true bug". All bugs are insects, but not all insects are bugs!

Two-lined Leather-wing

The first one is called the Two-lined Leather-wing and is part of the family of soldier beetles. They look somewhat similar to fireflies and are actually related to them, but they cannot produce light. These insects (especially in their larvae stage) feed on other insects, which makes them desirable as a natural pest control of other insects in your garden. They will eat grasshopper eggs, aphids, caterpillars, and other soft bodied insects. The adults will also eat nectar and pollen as well as large amounts of aphids, but they don't damage the plants. So, welcome these little soldiers into your garden.

Asian Ladybug

 Then we have the more easily recognized ladybug. This one is actually an Asian ladybug. They tend to be highly variable in color and spot patterns. Ladybugs will eat other insect pests in your garden, such as aphids, plant louse and such, so they are also a benefit to you. However, as winter approaches, they will search for someplace warm and dry to spend the winter and that often ends up being inside our homes. They will not damage the house, they won't lay their eggs there either, but as the weather once again warms up in the spring, you may discover hundreds of them trapped inside around your windowsills trying to get out.

Orange Assassin bug

Finally we have what is called an Orange Assassin bug. As their name suggests, they are the assassins of the insect world, feeding on many garden pests. They have a prominent dagger-like mouthpart that they use to pierce and inject a toxin into their prey, which kills them in seconds. Unlike the other two insects mentioned above, which are harmless to humans, you probably don't want to handle the assassin bugs because their sword-like mouthpart can deliver a nasty, painful bite to humans.


As we have seen, all three insects are beneficial to your garden, but now, which one is the "true bug"?



The order of Hemiptera (True bugs) have:

Notice the mouthpart!

• sucking mouthparts
• typically have 2 pairs of wings and when at rest, the wings lie flat on the back making an X pattern on their back
• Have jointed beaks that arise from the front of the head
• Antennae with 5 or fewer segments

The order of Coleoptera (Beetles) have:

• chewing mouthparts
• have distinctive front wings which form a covering or sheath over the hind wings
• usually the two wing cases are hard and meet in a straight line down the center of their back
• Antennae with 8 or more segments

If you haven't figured out by now, the only true bug above is the Assassin bug, the other two are beetles.