How to Identify the Tiny Green Bugs in Grass
With millions of species to grapple with, identifying tiny green bugs in grass can be bewildering even to experienced entomologists. Nonetheless, making the effort to at closely observe the many six-legged denizens of your lawn or garden can help you determine whether or not to deem the bugs as beneficial or as pests. In many parts of the United States, tiny green insects are common components of backyard ecosystems. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Measure the insect, or at least eyeball its length. It might be worthwhile to develop a relative scale for your own observations, or use a common insect, like a sidewalk ant, as a benchmark against which to compare. Many green lawn and garden insects can be extremely minute. For example, the nymphs of whiteflies may be the size of a pinhead,
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Describe the insect's shape. Aphids often appear rotund, with squat, rounded bodies. A number of species, like the rose and melon aphids, are green, but some may have more than one color besides green, like the green peach aphid (greenish red). Or maybe the creature is slender, like the cigar-shaped leafhoppers, commonly observed in backyards.
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Use a magnifying glass---or a microscope, if you have secured a specimen---to scrutinize the insect's body parts. Key into the major morphological sections: the head, the mouthparts, the legs, the wings (if present). Even basic anatomical observations can steer identification. Insects can be broadly categorized, for example, on the basis of whether they have chewing or sucking mouthparts.
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Consider the insect's location, behavior and any other attributes that you can. Such information can contribute to a more precise identification.
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Use a dichotomous key and magnification for more involved inspection and classification. The key---usually a series of paired questions, directing your identification based on the answer---can sometimes bring you right up to species, although attributing the insect even to order or family can be worthwhile. Finding a key that applies to insects of your region is most ideal.
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Tips & Warnings
Seek out your local extension office, garden organization or analogous agency for further assistance.
