Plant Pests

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Mealybug On Phormium

This is an insect, commonly called Mealybug, feeding on your plant (common name of plant is New Zealand Flax). These insects can be difficult to control on these plants because they feed, as in your photo, down low in the leaves where its hard to reach them and effectively control them. Unfortunately, they can do heavy damage to these plants, and sometimes kill the plant. We've included a link about mealybug to give you more information about how to control them. If you choose to try chemical controls, you will need to be thorough in applying the material, but always follow the label directions to avoid doing further harm to the plant, or other plants and organisms.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/INVERT/mealybugs.html

By | 2016-03-17T01:48:09-07:00 March 17th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Flea Beetles

The insects and the leaf damage look like flea beetles. They are a common pests of cole crops (cauliflower, broccoli, etc) and some other garden and agricultural crop plants. On established plants, their damage is often minor and doesn't affect plant health. Insecticide treatments for flea beetle control vary with the species and the crop. We recommend you seek advice about control strategies that will work for you, if the number of beetles and their damage continues to increase. We've included some web-links with more info. You may also want to seek advice from your local university extension farm/home advisor, a Master Gardener group, or your local garden center professional. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05592.html

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:19-07:00 March 16th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Japanese Beetles

We can't tell from this photo if it's a Japanese beetle or a close relative. Pluck off all you can, spray the plants with a control for chewing insects such as Spinosad or another contact insecticide), and treat the soil for grubs, the larval stage of beetles. You will need to break up the life cycle to keep it from repeating. This is a very troublesome pest and can really damage a plant if you don't get rid of it fast. Good luck!

Since beetles fly away when they feel threatened, we suggest the following method for hand removal. Fill a small bowl with equal parts dishwashing liquid and water; mix it together. Hold it beneath the beetle and knock the beetle off into the bowl. The beetle will get stuck and not be able to fly away.

By | 2016-03-16T13:56:21-07:00 March 16th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Aphids

We can't see the small eggs/pests clearly enough to identify them. However, aphid season is in full swing so these may be aphids. If the infestation or presence of these eggs/aphids isn't too widespread, you can remove them with a forceful stream of water from the hose. Continue to monitor the infested plants and hose off these pests as they appear.

If you can't remove them or the infestation is too widespread, you may want to confirm your pest so you'll know the best way to deal it. You can take this leaf or another sample to a local nursery or to the Colorado Extension Agency where they can examine them using a loop, a hand magnifier. Here's a link to your local Extension office - http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/arapahoe/

By | 2016-03-15T11:04:50-07:00 March 15th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Jadera Bug

This true bug does not sting, does not do damage. Instead, it is just a nuisance due to their shear numbers; which could easily be in the thousands.

Another problem with the insect is that they can leave a red stain behind when squashed. The good news about this insect, they do not nest inside. While you may find an occasional straggler indoors they rather live outside.

Their favorite food of choice is the Golden Rain tree seed. These insects generally are found nesting against the structure or up against the trunk of trees.

The best control method for the Jadera Bug is the removal of their food source, the Golden Rain tree. While their numbers can be reduced with a topical insecticide, control will not be obtained as long as the food source remains.

By | 2016-03-14T11:51:22-07:00 March 14th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Scale Infestation

This is an excellent photo of an insect known as scale, a sap sucking insect that attaches itself to the leaves, flowers and stems. Under the shell is either the sucking insect or she has died and the shell is full of young yet to hatch scale. Inspect other nearby plants and treat them at the first sight of insect. They can be controlled with any insecticide containing Imidachloprid which is a systemic insecticide -- you will drench the soil and the insecticide will be sucked up by roots and into the branches, leaves and hopefully the scale. You can also spray the plant above the soil line with 15:1 water:Ivory soap. Also a horticultural oil will act as a suffocant. If there are not too many, try to gently remove them with your fingernail and dispose in a bucket of soapy water.

By | 2016-03-14T10:50:29-07:00 March 14th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Mealybugs

Your infestation is mealybugs. You can tell by the fact that they have a cottony, fuzzy appearance and feel sticky. Mealybugs suck the nutrients out of the plant and will eventually kill it if left untreated. You have a pretty heavy infestation in the photo that you sent. First, we would suggest pruning out and disposing of the affected plant parts. Next you could try to wipe the insects off with a damp cloth dipped in alcohol and follow with a spray of insecticidal soap or pyrethrin by following the directions on the label. You can also spray with an organic control containing Spinosad that has a 7-10 day residual. Spinosad should be sprayed in the early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray has dried, it is safe for beneficials.

By | 2016-03-13T14:22:58-07:00 March 13th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Plumeria Problem

This may be compromised vascular system due to what seems to be past damage to the trunk. If the trunk is soft it may still be infected, with what might have been a bacterial problem. If that is the case we suggest you take a stem cutting at the top and re-propagate the plant. If the stem is hard then you might un-pot it and look at the roots. If they are good then and are not causing the problem then the vascular system in the stem may have been damaged in the past so that the plant can not get sufficient nutrients. Sometimes the plant can grow out of this and perhaps planting in the ground will help or re-potting in new soil. If neither of those work and it continue to not perform then we would suggest re-propagation.

By | 2016-03-13T13:03:42-07:00 March 13th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Spider Mites

This looks like spider mite damage. Do you see any evidence of other insects like aphids? Look for the fine webbing and small spider like mites on the leaves. The mites themselves are very difficult to see with the human eye, so hold a piece of paper below the leaf and tap or shake slightly to see if anything falls off, or, take a spray bottle of water and spray it in the leaf axils. A magnifying glass can also help. While the mites are very difficult to see, their webs catch the water and becomes more easily visible. You may wish to show your photo to a local garden center for confirmation of the problem, so they can help you select the right control. Horticultural oils and neem oil are natural controls for mites.

By | 2016-03-13T08:58:45-07:00 March 13th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Scale

This is a serious infestation! If all your holly's leaves are this thoroughly covered you will probably be better off removing this shrub and starting over. If only a few leaves are like this, we suggest you prune off those leaves and stems and treat the memainder of the shrub with an insecticide. Scale insects are mostly immobile; they suck the nutrients out of the leaves and branches and if untreated, can seriously damage a plant. Many insecticides cannot penetrate the insect's shell, so you'll need something specially formulated for scale. We suggest you take a few leaves into a local nursery and explain your problem. They can recommend a horticultural oil or systemic poison formulated for ornamentals. Good luck!

By | 2016-03-12T15:43:01-08:00 March 12th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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