What bug might this be please?

[shirlthegirl43]

I am plagued by a black bug in my garden. They lurk just below the soil surface (I think) and specially under my buckets - or indeed anything else left on the ground. I thought they were flea beetles but just googled for those and found they are quite different. When you move a pot they jump everywhere and are gone too fast to photograph. They are less than a centimetre long (at a guess), glossy black, not fat and quite 'wiggly'. Sorry I can't get a picture of them but I hope you might be able to suggest similar bugs and I can then google to see what they are.

[Seahorse]

Have you seen this site:

Bug identification - Bug Club - Amateur Entomologists' Society

Might help to narrow down what to Google for?

[shirlthegirl43]

Yik, fascinating. No closer though sadly. Thanks for the link though

[wellie]

OK, not sure what's been suggested yet.....

Those things that make the tiny little holes in radish and rocket leaves.....
A Hedgehog.....
A Twelve Year Old.....
Kevin The Fruit Bat.....

Am I even close?!
X

[bubblewrap]

OK, not sure what's been suggested yet.....

Those things that make the tiny little holes in radish and rocket leaves.....
A Hedgehog.....
A Twelve Year Old.....
Kevin The Fruit Bat.....

Am I even close?!
X

Gordon Brown here's boring.

[terrier]

Are they doing any damage to your plants? If they are, try the BBC gardening site pest finder:

BBC - Gardening - Pest and Disease Identifier

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks for that Terrier, I am not sure if they do damage, I do get a lot of tiny holes in the leaves which is why I thought it was flea beetle. I must have those too as derris dust helped things last year. Using the pest finder, I found thrips which look similar in shape to my bug but are way smaller. I think they must be there because the land has not been worked for many years. I hate the way they all bounce about when I move my spud buckets in the summer (and all my pots on the patio too) and wish I could find out if they are causing damage and what to do about them. I will try to get a photo when Madmax is home next.

[shirlthegirl43]

OK, not sure what's been suggested yet.....

Those things that make the tiny little holes in radish and rocket leaves.....
A Hedgehog.....
A Twelve Year Old.....
Kevin The Fruit Bat.....

Am I even close?!
X

Thanks Wellie, would love to have a hedgehog or fruit bat (or even a 12 year old - he is poorly at the moment) in the garden!

[Flummery]

The bouncing about sounds like flee beetle (or an ill-fitting bra!)

[Headfry]

If you were on the coast? I would think maybe sand hoppers?
good luck and let us know if you find out!

[shirlthegirl43]

If you were on the coast? I would think maybe sand hoppers?
good luck and let us know if you find out!

Nope, they are black. Really must get Madmax to take a pic for me next week when he is home - it is due to be dry so we might crack it!

[marialittlebzz]

have you thought of leaf hopper? I know usually they are green but actually they can be of every size and colors!
I had the same problems last year, little bugs jumping everywhere, and they killed a lot of my seedlings... and I was enable to find it in any bugs finder! until I came across a picture by chance... have a look for yourself


or if you google it and do google image, you can see that they can be very different in color.
hope this help!

[shirlthegirl43]

They don't seem to have wings. they sort of resemble earwigs but are a lot smaller

[jeannine]

I think I know exactly the ones you mean, I've noticed them a lot since we got chickens as I'm always moving pots around now, so the girls can get to any slugs and grubs underneath! These bugs are too fast for the chickens to catch.

I'm going to watch 'Life in the Undergrowth' again tonight as I seem to remember David Attenborough saying what they are...

[shirlthegirl43]

Ooh, glad you know the ones I mean - as I said I am not sure we could get a pic if we tried they are really fast. Wait to hear if you find out what they are - it would be brill to know.