Plant Pests

/Plant Pests

Soft Scales

The soft scales that do show up, on occasion, typically move up and down the twigs and branches and feed on the vital fluids that they find. Most times natural predators and even environmental conditions will keep them in check so the plant stays healthy. The pest experts feel that keeping the tree thriving and healthy will keep them from doing much damage. But if they begin to injure the tree there are insecticides that will kill the more immature scales but the problem then becomes the adults who linger and are harder to kill. Most experts recommend chemical controls that can be applied in the spring. For those guidelines we would recommend you contact your local cooperative extension agent who can help you with the right product and the right timing.

By | 2016-03-31T23:15:50-07:00 March 31st, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Flea Beetles

The leaf damage look like that inflicted by flea beetles (look for small black beetles). They are a common pests of some garden and agricultural crop plants. On established plants, their damage is often minor and doesn't affect plant health, but on young seedlings they could be more dangerous. 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 adviser, a Master Gardener group, or your local garden center professional. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05592.html

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:02-07:00 March 31st, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Whitefly

There appears to be whitefly. Whitefly live on plants throughout their three life-stages. During the first stage, whitefly lay eggs which appear on the underside of leaves as white patches arranged in regular curves. Each female can produce 100-200 eggs at a time. After the eggs hatch, they become larvae that suck out the nutrients of the leaves and stems. Their excreta, known as honeydew, causes black sooty mold. There are organic controls such as those that are formulated with Spinosad, but spray in the late afternoon or early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray is dry it is safe for beneficials. There are also chemical formulations such as Bayer Advanced Fruit, Citrus and Vegetable Insect Control.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:02-07:00 March 31st, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Uh oh! Your bug appears to be Halyumorpha halys, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. Has brown shield-shaped body like other stink bugs, but is distinguished from other stink bugs by lighter bands on antennae and darker bands on the rear of the front pair of wings. Can become a difficult problem to control if sets up housekeeping indoors during fall-winter months and if disturbed, will emit an unpleasant and long-lasting aroma from its scent glands on the abdomen and thorax. Suggest you contact an entomologist at your local university to confirm its identity and if it is, to find out methods of control indoors and outdoors. There are Brown Marmorated Stink Bug pheromone traps available. They are a major crop pest damaging everything from squash, to apples to tomatoes.

By | 2016-03-31T07:57:12-07:00 March 31st, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Scale Infestation

This appears to be two types of scale, (brown scale and cottony cushion scale), but both are sap sucking insects that attach themselves to the leaves and stems. Wiping them off with a damp cloth can be effective if caught early, but yours is more extensive. Organic controls include spraying with horticultural oil being sure to coat all leaf surface, but take outside before spraying. Make sure you spray in the early evening to prevent sun scald. Or cut off the worst of the infected leaves if it will not defoliate your plant. If you wish to undertake chemical control, look for a systemic formulated for scale and for your container gardenia plant. Use according to directions for your plant.
Here is a link that you might find helpful: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7408.html

By | 2016-03-30T20:26:49-07:00 March 30th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Fungus Gnats

Without seeing the insects we cannot be positive, but from your description they might be fungus gnats.If you see the adult insects fly away when you water, this is another indication that they are probably fungus gnats. Resembling fruit flies, their larvae feed on organic matter in the soil, and damage the roots of young seedlings. Soil that is kept constantly wet is especially susceptible to fungus gnats. To break the cycle and to keep the adults from laying eggs in the soil, reduce watering as much as possible without damaging the plant and cover with a layer of horticultural sand available at your local garden center (do not use beach sand). You can also use yellow sticky traps (again available at your local nursery) to capture the adults.

By | 2016-03-30T15:39:43-07:00 March 30th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Squash Vine Borer

This might be the start of squash vine borer damage. Adult squash vine borers lay eggs along squash stems. When the eggs hatch, the larvae bore into the stems, killing the part of the vine above the entry point. It can be quite devastating. Remove and kill adults (pick them off and dump them in soapy water and search out and scrape off any eggs you can find that are already laid. Also watch for hatched larvae. Most damage occurs in July and August.

If the stem that's cracked wilts, it's probably the cause. Cut off the stem and look inside to find the larvae. Smash them! To read more about this pest and organic controls, go here: http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/squash-vine-borer-control-zw0z1304zkin.aspx#axzz37mHeZ1ns

By | 2016-03-30T13:51:07-07:00 March 30th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Tomato Hornworm

Manduca quinquemaculata, the five-spotted hawk moth/tomato horn worm. A large pale-green caterpillar with white and black markings. The caterpillar can reach 3 ½ to 4 in. when fully mature. The spike on one of the last abdominal segments gives the caterpillar the name “hornworm.” The adult moth, called a sphinx or hawk moth, is a medium to large, heavy-bodied moth with narrow front wings. The moth has a spindle-shaped body which tapers at both ends and fairly thick antennae. The adult is a mottled gray-brown color with yellow spots on the sides of the abdomen and a wing spread of 4 to 5 inches.

Injury: The hornworm feeds on the leaves and new stems of the tomato plant, causing extensive damage. During July and August they also occasionally feed on the fruit.

By | 2016-03-30T10:08:15-07:00 March 30th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Psyllid

We think the raised bumps may be psyllids, often referred to as plant lice. Suggest you take your photo or a few of the problem leaves to your local garden center for confirmation. If they are psyllids, they suck the nutrients out of the foliage and stems, but if the infestation is not too extensive, most horticulturists recommend leaving it alone. However, if the infestation is severe, spray with an organic control effective against chewing insects, Spinosad with a residual of 7-10 days. Spray in the early evening when bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray on the plants has dried it is completely safe for beneficial insects. Another option is to spray with a horticultural oil. The oil will act as a suffocant.

By | 2016-03-29T23:57:51-07:00 March 29th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Spider Mites

This appears to be the damage done by spider mites, a common problem. Symptoms of injury include flecking, discoloration (bronzing) and scorching of leaves. Injury can lead to leaf color loss and even plant death. Natural enemies include small lady beetles, predatory mites, minute pirate bugs, big-eyed bugs and predatory thrips, but of course that's only outside. One reason that spider mites become a problem is insecticides that kill their natural predators. Another is low humidity, such as indoors in winter.
Spider mites are barely visible to the naked eye, and are difficult to control. Insecticidal soap can help, especially if the problem is caught early and the leaves, both sides, are sprayed well. Or look for another product with "spider mites" listed on the label.

By | 2016-03-29T23:12:47-07:00 March 29th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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