My apologies for latching on to this thread, but I learn so much from the Gardenweb forums. Does anyone recognize this? They're about the same size as the regular ladybugs I'm familiar with. When I transferred a couple to a plastic bottle, they started to crawl up the sides rather than fly away.

I know nothing of N American insects but your two, Dan, are not beetles, like ladybugs. They lack the pair of smooth wing cases. They look like more like true bugs.

These are immediately recognizable as Harlequin Bugs because of their bright colors and distinct pattern.

Murgantia histrionica is the scientific name.

I'm not sure that putting duct tape around a tree is a good idea. Duct tape has not stretch at all. I wouldn't leave that on very long.

I would leave it on for a few weeks at a time and replace it. So far its worked and don't see ants on the tree