Jumping black bugs - what are they?

[Damian Jay]

Had a quick search through the forum, but all I could think of as a search term was 'jumping bugs' or 'jumping black bugs' No avail. SDo if there is a post on this then I apologise for a duplicate.

Right! I was clearing out the pathway at the side of the plot next to the boundry fence. Lot's of grass like matted stuff. Brown on the top and black underneath. Looked a bit like string but came away very easy. It seems to be rooted in one place and the long strands just trail all over the place smothering everything beneath.

Anyhoo, I digress a bit, as I'm clearing this out with the rake (easiest way to clear this stuff) on the ground level are hundreds of little black jumping things. As soon as light hits them they jumped all over the place and in seconds they were under cover again. They reminded me of very large fleas.

Any idea what these critters are please, and are they good or bad?
If they are unwelcome, what's the best way to get rid of them?

Thank you.

[Nicos]

Lots to consider.....


...flea beetle;plant hopper;psyllid; leaf hopper;thrips sort of jump; some flies make jumping movements...I'm sure there are others...including jumping spiders!

Can you try and catch some on some sticky tape so you can get a better look?

It'll be interesting to know what they are if you do manage to ID them...and work out if they are good or bad guys!

[PyreneesPlot]

Sounds like the kind of habitat that flea beetles like to overwinter in.

[Nicos]

Really?...if so those are deffo bad guys!

[PyreneesPlot]

I've read that rough grass and undergrowth at the edge of fields/gardens are a favourite hiding place. For loads of good beasties too, of course so I've loads of rough areas and have loads of flea beetles

[Damian Jay]

Lots to consider.....
I'm sure there are others...including jumping spiders!

Can you try and catch some on some sticky tape so you can get a better look?

After saying about jumping spiders..... you really think I'm gonna try to catch one?

I'm petrified of spiders. I can cope with the small money spiders, and even the little black ones that can be seen running over the ground on the plot. BUT if one runs at me, I go in the other direction... fast!

The lottie is helping me to very slowly conquer my totally irrational fear of creepy crawlies. I still scream like a banshee if one touches me tho.

Spiders! I doubt I'll conquer that fear short of hypnotherapy.

[Nicos]

Just a thought ...

Might be worth creating a toad/frog friendly environment ...they'd happily munch their way through them!

Logs etc...Maybe even a small pond?

[Nicos]

Your're going to say you don't like frogs and toads now aren't you???

[Damian Jay]

Your're going to say you don't like frogs and toads now aren't you???

Lol, nope. I like frogs and toads :-)

I've been away for a while with work popping back home every so often but not having a lot of time to do much. I have been keeping up with the allotment on my trips home tho. Just.