Insects hanging around Eucalyptus flowes in Victoria

[OzBuzz]

Hi Folks,

I've seen quite a few, what look like, Sugar Gums in flower - along with that I'm seeing huge swarms of insects hanging off the flowers too - I'm assuming they're pinching the liquid gold! does anyone know what they are? and, other than pinching the nectar, do they stop the bees from foraging on that nectar source?

[bernsad]

G'day Oz,

Have you got a photo or description of the ones you're seeing? I'm seeing a fair few of these around lately Green Soldier Beetles but they seem to be more beneficial than harmful.

[OzBuzz]

They're the ones! I wonder if they're consuming the nectar from the flowers if there isn't enough aphids etc for them to feed on

[bernsad]

I dunno, the article mentions sugar solutions and honeydew but not nectar. You would have to wonder though. Perhaps you need to spend a half hour or an hour observing.

[OzBuzz]

Not in this heat ;)

[bernsad]

Yeah, I got home early thinking I might open up the hives; that is, until I turned on the AC and grabbed a beer.

[bernsad]

G'day Oz,

There is an article in the Sunday Herald Sun today 13/01/13 that talks about these being in plague proportions this year and says that the adults DO eat pollen and nectar. That might explain why I'm having such a lean year this year; nearly mid summer and I haven't had a harvest yet. Another bloke I know with hives a couple of K's away says it's the worst year he can remember around here.

[rawfind]

G'day Oz,

There is an article in the Sunday Herald Sun today 13/01/13 that talks about these being in plague proportions this year and says that the adults DO eat pollen and nectar. That might explain why I'm having such a lean year this year; nearly mid summer and I haven't had a harvest yet. Another bloke I know with hives a couple of K's away says it's the worst year he can remember around here.

were bad around here too they tend to clump  up on the ground and on branches i made up some pyrethum spray and killed thousands, think there were some small amount of bee casualty's but not many i was careful not to spray the bees if i could help it, the bugs drop immediately so i was able to hose down the branches and get rid of residue quickly.  its just a small drop in the ocean but i think it helped a bit around here theres not so many now.

[wannabeehobbit]

We live in NE Victoria and have an invasion of Plague Soldier Beetles, they have covered our gum trees and they seem to have driven the bees away :(

[OzBuzz]

Yep, that seems to be the scenario state wide! it seems that all insects are under pressure for food resources