On decorative shrubs, blooming plants, houseplants, and crops, brown bugs on plants are a big problem. Aphids, spider mites, Asiatic beetles, and Colorado potato beetles are all minor destructive brown bugs that can destroy attractive plants and crops. Little brown insects bite plant leaves and suck nutrients or dig into the soil to devour roots.
It’s sometimes difficult to identify brown insects on plants. Brown aphids and thrips, for example, are tiny plant-damaging creatures that hide in the bottom of leaves and are difficult to see. Brown soft scale insects, on the other hand, resemble brown bumps on a plant. Only after they have caused significant loss of plant foliage are certain brown pests recognized. Knowing the type of crawling or flying insect that is causing damage is necessary in order to get rid of tiny brown insects for good. Improving plant health and nutrition is also important for preventing infestations of tiny brown bugs.
Eradicating bothersome brown bugs from your front or backyard plants may sometimes require a multi-faceted approach. This article aims to be a resource for identifying the most prevalent brown bugs in your yard. Pictures and descriptions of the animals will aid in identification. You’ll also learn useful advice on how to get rid of the brown pests for good.
Brown Bugs vs. Brown Insects
The term “bug” is commonly used to describe any sort of brown plant pest. Brown bugs, on the other hand, belong to the order Hemiptera and are a tiny group of insects. As a result, not all insects are classified as insects in the scientific sense. Sap-sucking insects with piercing mouthparts and occasionally wings, true bugs are rare.
However, not all insects suck the sap from plants. True bugs or other types of brown pests are referred to as “bugs” in the article. Bugs are often referred to as any kind of irritating animal that damages or infests plants, hence this is the case.
Types of Brown Bugs on Plants (Overview)
Aphids, brown citrus aphids, brown soft scale, and brown marmorated stink bugs are all tiny brown plant bugs in the order Hemiptera. The mouthparts of these real bugs are designed to pierce plant tissue and draw juice from it. Unfortunately, the bug’s saliva may transmit diseases that inhibit plant development.
Spider mites, thrips, and various species of garden beetles are the types of brown insects that aren’t technically classified as bugs. These nasty brown creatures eat plant leaves and harm seedlings, causing damage.
How to Identify Small Brown Bugs on Plants
It can be difficult to differentiate between little brown plant bugs and other types of bug. Their distinguishing features are frequently too small to notice. On the underside of leaves, however, you may find clusters of brown insects like aphids, spider mites, or thrips.
Wilt or yellowing leaves, galls, or holes in leaves might all be indications of plant damage. Have you seen brown bumps on plant stems or beneath leaves? Soft scale insects, which suck sap from plants by attaching themselves to parts of them, could be responsible for these bump-like growths.
Signs of Small Brown Bugs on Plants
Foliage damage and stunted development are the most prevalent symptoms of a brown bug infestation on plants. Leaves riddled with holes are an obvious sign of bug damage. Plant-destroying insects, on the other hand, feed on sap by biting into stems, petioles, and roots.
Bacteria and viruses are also transmitted this way by the bugs. Sticky, amber-colored honeydew, browned or curled leaves, and wilting development are all common symptoms of plant ailment. Increased ant activity in the garden is another indication of brown bugs on plants. Ants eat on the honeydew, which has a sweet flavor.
Tiny Brown Bugs on Plants
Thrips or aphids are the most common little brown bugs on plants. These little brown-black dots on plant leaves are as tiny as 0.019″ (0.5 mm) and may be seen by the naked eye. Aphids are little brown insects that aren’t as tiny as thrips. Little seeds measuring 0.039 to 0.27 inches (1 to 7 mm) in length resemble brown insects.
How to Get Rid of Brown Bugs on Plants
Neem oil, insecticidal soap, and rubbing alcohol are three natural ways to get rid of brown bugs on plants. Blue or yellow sticky traps may be used to reduce the number of brown flying bugs. But, since brown bugs are difficult to detect, it’s difficult to remove them from plants.
It is essential to use a variety of plant-controlling approaches over a period of time to get rid of brown bugs completely. To interrupt the bugs’ life cycle, for example, you may spray neem oil once a week. Then, on small brown bugs you notice, dab rubbing alcohol. Lastly, hundreds of nasty brown bugs may be dislodged from plant leaves by blowing shrubs with the garden hose.
Types of Small Brown Bugs on Plants (With Pictures and Identification)
The first step in eradicating little brown dots or specks on garden plant leaves is to understand how to recognize them. Read on to learn how to handle brown bug problems on plants.
Brown Soft Scale (Coccus hesperidum)
Brown soft scale is a bug that resembles bumpy growths on the underside of leaves or on stems, and it appears like little spherical formations on plants. Brown scale bugs range in length from 0.12 to 20 inches (3 to 5 millimeters). The bug bites plant leaves to suck their juice and is covered in dark brown spots.
Brown soft scale damage In plants, it commonly manifests as sluggish development. Also, brown-scale insects produce sweet honeydew, which causes black sooty mold while they feed.
Small Brown Bug Identification: Brownish circular developments on plant leaves and stems are referred to as brown soft scale. Honeydew is typically an effective method to identify brown-scale insects on plants since it’s present.
How to get rid of brown soft scale
A cotton bud dipped in 70% alcohol is the best way to eliminate brown soft-scale insects from plants. Next, to kill scale insects immediately, lightly rub each little brown bump beneath leaves or on stems.
Brown Aphids (Aphiodoidea spp.)
If there is a massive infestation of brown aphids, they can harm the plant. These common brown garden pests grow to be 0.07 inch (2 mm) long. The pear form and two black tubes at the aphid’s tail end are identifying features of this insect. Brown, gray, black, yellow, or red aphids may be found.
Brown aphid damage When an insect problem gets out of hand, it affects plants. Yellowed, curled leaves, crippled stems, and poor plant development characterize aphid-infested plants. Honeydew on the plant’s leaves is another indication.
Small Brown Bug Identification: With six legs, two antennae, and two cornicles at their rear, brown aphids are little pear-shaped insects.
How to get rid of brown aphids
The first step in getting rid of brown aphid infestation is to dislodge the pests with short, strong bursts of water.
On decorative shrubs and plants, you may use a neem oil spray to kill brown aphids. You should use 2 tsp. of this product. 1. Add neem oil to the mixture. The name of the plant is Tsp., which stands for tetraploid. In a spray bottle, mix 1 quart (1 l) of water with liquid Castile soap. Cover both sides of the leaves with a spray on the afflicted plants. Until the aphids are gone, repeat every week.
Brown Citrus Aphids (Toxoptera citricida)
A dark-colored bug with a brown to black pear-shaped body and white legs, the brown citrus aphid (Toxoptera citricida) is found on trees. The little bug is 0.059 to 0.11 inches (1.5 to 2.8 mm) long, and is dark reddish-brown in color. In Florida, orange and lemon trees are plagued by brown citrus aphids.
Thrips (Thysanoptera)
Thrips are tiny, slender brown or black insects that range in size from less than 0.039 to 0.039 inches (1 mm). Trips-covered plant leaves will seem to be covered in pepper-like black dots. Brown bug bodies are thin, bullet-shaped, with bent legs and two antennae, as seen in the photographs. Due to their minuscule size, brown thrips are usually discovered only by the harm they cause to plants. The insects appear like little brown dots on leaves even under a magnifying lens.
Thrip damage Little white or brown spots on leaves characterize the appearance of plants. Plants with impaired development that generate damaged fruit or blooms might result from a large infestation.
Small Brown Bug Identification: Because they appear like small black specks on leaves, Thrips are difficult to identify with the naked eye.
How to get rid of thrips
Next, to eliminate thrips from your favorite garden plants, remove and destroy badly infested foliage and stems. Next, get the bugs off of the remaining leaves using a hard stream of water. Lastly, to rid your plants of the annoyatiagainstg insects, apply a natural insecticidal soap.
Brown Spider Mites (Tetranychidae)
Brown spider mites are small Arachnida bugs that may be discovered beneath the leaves of a plant. The eight-legged minute brown arachnids are just 0.04 inch (1 mm) long and barely visible. The body of the little insects is dark brown, with amber-colored legs. Spider mites webbing and silky threads beneath plant leaves are the only indication of their presence. Brown spider mites come in a variety of species. Spider mites, on the other hand, may be crimson, and white spider mite housplant bugs exist as well.
Brown spider mite damage Little yellow or brownish spots on plant leaves Heavyly infected plants, on the other hand, may have yellowed leaves and show signs of sluggish development.
Small Brown Bug Identification: Little speckles on the bottom of trees, shrubs, and plant leaves are what you’ll find when you look for brown spider mites. Silky webs on stems and leaves are another way to identify them.
How to get rid of brown spider mites
A powerful stream of water may be used to brush spider mites off the leaves, which is the finest strategy to get rid of a brown spider mite infestation. Nonetheless, since the little brown mites dwell on the underside of leaves, you should shoot for that area. Spider mites are attracted to stressed plants and thrive in hot, dry conditions. As a result, during dry summers, keep shrubs and plants well-hydrated by supplying at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water every week and putting mulch around the root zone.
Brown Asiatic Garden Beetles (Maladera castanea)
The Asiatic garden beetle is a cinnamon-brown bug that lives during the day and is active throughout the summer. The little brown bugs have an oblong-oval body with faint ribbing on their backs and are 0.375″ (9.5 mm) long. From June through October, Asiatic garden beetles can be found all throughout North America.
Because of their chestnut-brown color, Asiatic garden beetles blend in with soil, mulch, and garden trash. It’s difficult to detect them. They also eat at night, hence there is minimal chance of seeing them during the day. Ultimately, in the evening, they are drawn to lights, making brown bugs a home pest.
Asiatic garden beetle damage These can eat leaves from a variety of flowers, giving the foliage a ragged look. They include asps, chrysanthemums, geraniums, and roses. Several other plants in your yard, including lawngrass, will be defoliated by the plant-destroying insects.
Small Brown Bug Identification: The reddish-brown color and oval body of the little Asiatic garden beetle distinguishes it.
How to get rid of brown Asiatic garden beetles
Handpicking Asiatic garden beetles is the most effective way to eliminate them. You might also place white sheets beneath diseased trees to accomplish this. Shake the tree or shrub leaves after it gets dark, and the beetles will fall onto the sheets. Afterwards, pour them into a hot, soapy water bucket.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys)
The brown marmorated stink bug’s dark brown body bears mottled brown patterns and may be recognized by it. The mottled brown patterns on the body of the brown stink bug are 0.75” (19 mm). In addition, the white bands on the stink bug’s brown legs are visible.
Brown marmorated stink bug damage Unsaleable crops result from poor-quality fruit, vegetables, and leaves. Brown insects, on the other hand, may enter a house and create a horrible odor when crushed.
Small Brown Bug Identification: Because of their shield-shaped brown body with marble-like patterns and a triangular patch at the end, brown stink bugs are easy to identify.
How to get rid of brown marmorated stink bugs
Brown stink bugs are difficult to get rid of from gardens. Row covers or frequent leaf checks may be used to help prevent eggs from hatching. Caulk leaks and gaps around window and door fittings, as well as where pipes enter buildings, to keep stink bugs out of your home.
Squash Bugs (Anasa tristis)
If you grow squash family crops, squash bugs are destructive pests that have a flattened brown body and long antennae. Squash bugs are 0.6 inches (15 mm) long and have a rather large appearance. A dark V or U-shaped patch with the apex pointing to the head can be seen on their flat brown back.
Squash bug damage It’s most common on Cucurbita species, which include gourd and squash. Pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchini, and watermelon are therefore common targets for these bothersome brown bugs. Damage from squash bugs is also commonly seen on tender plants and seedlings.
Small Brown Bug Identification: The brown flat-backed body, brown legs, and two brown antennae distinguish squash bugs from other insects. The body of squash bug nymphs is tear-shaped and grayish-white in color, with black legs.
How to get rid of squash bugs
Early detection of squash bugs is important if you grow plants from the squash family. Check on your check plants every day, pick off the insects, and toss them in soap. Also, on the underside of leaves, search for clusters of bronze-colored eggs.
Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)
The orange head and black markings of the Colorado potato beetle, as well as a beige-light brown spotted body, identify it. The highly destructive bug is 0.24 to 0.43 inch (6 to 11 mm) long and is also known as the ten-lined potato beetle. The five strong black stripes on each wing cover differentiate the orange-light brown insects.
Colorado potato beetle damage It is possible to have a lot of potatoes on your farm. Potato plants may be defoliated by striped, orange-pale brown bug, and tomato leaves and eggplant crops may be damaged. A massive infestation may ruin an entire crop in certain circumstances.
Small Brown Bug Identification: The beige and black stripes, flattened orange head with black dots, and two segmented antennae of the Colorado potato beetle make it easy to identify.
How to get rid of the Colorado potato beetle
Several nontoxic pest control methods can help to control Colorado potato beetle populations. For example, certain strains of Bacillus thuringiensis can kill larvae if you treat the soil in early spring. Also, a pathogenic fungus called Beauveria bassiana can be effective in killing Colorado potato beetles.
In addition, if you plant potatoes, it’s good to practice crop rotation to help prevent beetle populations building up early in the season.