Plant Pests

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Leaf Curl Plum Aphid

This is insect pest damage caused by a particular species of sap sucking Aphids. Its not unusual, unfortunately. We've included a link with all the info you'll need to deal with it now (which may include pruning the effected branches) and in the future. Please note that this info was prepared for orchard managers, not necessarily for backyard trees, but the info is still pertinent. For example, you'll need to treat during tree dormancy, and at other times to reduce the insect population and/or avoid this next year. (Some of the pesticides listed in this link will not be available to you, unless you are a licensed pesticide applicator). Please note that spray applications of pesticides at this stage will not be very effective, if at all, on the aphids feeding in the curled leaves because the pesticide won't contact the insects. To deal with any that are not hidden in the curled leaves you can use a horticultural oil, like Neem.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r611301811.html

By | 2016-02-20T21:16:42-08:00 February 20th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Peach Tree Issues

Let's address the Peach Leaf Curl first: once it shows up in the spring, there is nothing you can do short of removing and properly (do not compost) disposing of all affected plant parts. Before you plant, it is a good idea to choose a peach variety that is Peach Leaf Curl Resistant. If you don't have that luxury, the tree needs to be treated when it is dormant. Here is an excellent link that might be helpful:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7426.html
Regarding the aphids: It sound like you already have some knowledge of the relationship between the aphids and the ants. Getting rid of the ants is helpful as they protect the aphids from natural predators. Getting rid of the aphids may prove a little more difficult. This is a good aphid link:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7404.html
This a little more advanced link regarding peaches in general:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/selectnewpest.peach.html

By | 2016-02-19T23:54:56-08:00 February 19th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Spider Mites

It does look like spider mites. If you can knock some off on to a piece of white paper you might see them crawl around, but if you take your finger and give them a swipe, you should see a small brownish-red smear. Unfortunately indoors is a real breeding ground for them as the temps are comfy and there's little air circulation - they love that. A couple of things you can do. If it is a sturdy cactus give it a good hard blast of water from a hose to remove the webs and kill as many as possible for the first pass. After it has had a good few days to dry out take a look and if you see any residual, use a spray bottle of 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water (preferably distilled) and give them a good spray down. You may have to follow up a few times but this could get rid of them. You can try using a commercial miticide that you buy at the garden center but cacti and succulents are real sensitive to most pesticides. See if the container offers any info on using with succulents.

By | 2016-02-19T21:31:57-08:00 February 19th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Beetle Or Borer Larvae

Sorry for the delay in responding to your question. This is the larva stage of either a beetle or a an insect called a borer (because it bores into tree/shrubs). Not all beetles are harmful to plants, but borers are. Since we can't see any specific identifying characteristics in this photo, we can't make a specific species ID. We recommend that you keep your eyes open for more organisms like this in the soil, and/or look for damage on the tree/shrub trunks (like oozing wounds or trail damage in the bark). If you find numerous grubs in the soil you'll want to pick them out as much as possible and refer to the links we've provided. Same with tree damage - look for the specific signs as outlined in the info. If you want it ID'd to species you can take a sample (sealed in a bag) to your local Agricultural Dept office and they'll send it off to the county entomologist (who ID's insects) and send you a response for free.

By | 2016-02-19T17:53:31-08:00 February 19th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Apple Tree Critters

Because we can't see the entire tree we're assuming your tree is an apple tree, but it could also be a crabapple. Both are from the same plant family and are closely related. So regardless of which tree you have, you have a critter inside the fruit! We're not familiar with a fruit tree pest that is bright orange. We recommend that you take your infected fruit and branch to either a local nursery or to the Colorado Extension Office. Because they can visually inspect the leaf, they can confirm the identity of your tree and hopefully your orange bug and provide you with some suggestions for control. Here's a link to your local Extension Office - http://www.denverext.colostate.edu/

The most common pest for apples is the Coddling Moth. Their larvae which is found in the apple can be a light pink color. Here's a link to the Colorado Extension Agency for more information on Coddling Moths - http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05613.html

By | 2016-02-19T08:31:37-08:00 February 19th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Scale Insects

You are correct. We can't see clearly what the species the scale is, but it is some kind of scale insect. These insects don't usually cause major problems to plant health unless their population is very large. However, if you don't control them, and the conditions are right for their reproduction, they can get out of control. Keep your plant healthy and it will be better able to withstand the insect feeding. Control for scales varies by species or type of scale. We've included a link for your reference in controlling them outdoors, but if this is a house-plant and the population is not large right now, we suggest you use a dilute solution of rubbing alcohol and water on a damp cloth and wipe the scales off of the leaf and stems (if they are also feeding there). Don't over-do the alcohol as you can cause damage to the protective leaf cuticle with too high a concentration. Keep an eye out and continue to remove them.
For outdoor plants: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/QT/scalescard.html

By | 2016-02-18T12:32:01-08:00 February 18th, 2016|Plant Pests|1 Comment
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Chewing Insect

The problem may be chewing insects. Have you looked at the undersides of the leaves for a caterpillar? If you don't see an insect, we would normally suggest you cut off all the damaged foliage but since your plant is still immature without too many leaves, leave them be and check the unaffected leaves several times a day to see if it's on-going. Chewing insects are usually large enough to see with the naked eye, but they can be green, so look closely. If it is a chewing insect, spray with an organic control such as Spinosad - it has a 7-10 day residual - but spray in the early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray has dried it is safe for beneficials. There are also synthetic systemics but make sure it is formulated for edible herbs. Suggest you show a few of these leaf samples to a horticulturist at a garden center for confirmation of the problem and suggested controls.

By | 2016-02-18T12:10:40-08:00 February 18th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Aphids On Leafy Vegetables

You have an infestation of Aphids. They will typically feed on the newest plant growth. You can identify Aphids (with a magnifying lens) by the two "cornicles" (structures that look like tiny tailpipes) extending from the rear. If you see the cornicles, you will want to control these insects with a pesticidal soap, available at your local garden center or wash off with a strong stream of water. These insects reproduce rapidly (giving live birth, rather than laying eggs), so you can also narrow the possible insect species down if you see that some of them are smaller versions of the larger ones. Sometimes an adult will develop wings and they look a bit different than the rest, but they'll still have the "tailpipes". Also, the white bits are probably the cast-off exoskeletons of aphids, while the green or grayish moving creatures are the aphids themselves.Here is a link that you might find helpful: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/QT/aphidscard.html

By | 2016-02-18T08:53:41-08:00 February 18th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Slugs Snails Or Chewing Insects

Looks like snails or slugs but could also be caterpillars. Look under the leaves for caterpillars and remove them by hand if you find them (some of them are small and some of them can get quite large). Look for snails and slugs at dawn or dusk and remove them and dispose of them. Also look for slime trails around the plants early in the day to indicate their presence. If you have an area of your garden or landscape that may be harboring snails, we recommend trapping them and/or collecting them from the area every morning until you've eliminated them (or as much as possible). There are also organic snail baits formulated with iron phosphate that are safe around small pets and children. Since snails/slugs lay eggs in soil, we also recommend regular cultivation of the soil with a hoe or claw-type tool around the yard/garden, but avoid damaging plant roots. This link provides great info about managing snail/slugs.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/QT/snailsslugscard.html

By | 2016-02-17T22:02:28-08:00 February 17th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Inch Worm

This could be an inchworm but it is hard to tell from the photo. These tiny larvae have the characteristic U-shape when they move, so it should be easy to tell. In small numbers, this larva of a moth does not cause too much damage, but if there is a large infestation and they are damaging your plants, you can use an organic control such as Spinosad, but spray in the early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray has dried it is not longer harmful to beneficials and Spinosad has a 7-10 day residual. You can also use Bt, but this is a contact spray and does not have any residual. Here is some additional information about inch worms:
NCSU: ENT/ort-153 fall cankerworm
www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/.../note153.htm‎
North Carolina State University
This inch-worm caterpillar will periodically outbreak in large numbers every ... Control. Chemical- Under the approval of the NC Department of Agriculture ..

By | 2016-02-17T17:32:31-08:00 February 17th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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