Plant Pests

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Wooly Apple Aphid

Adult woolly apple aphids (Eriosoma lanigerum) are tiny, reddish to purple insects that are completely covered with a thick, woolly white wax. They feed on roots, trunks, limbs and shoots, producing galls at the site of the infestation. Heavy infestations on roots or above-ground portions of the tree can stunt growth and even kill young trees. Colonies on the roots cause the most damage in general, and are next to impossible to treat. Because the woolly apple aphids are somewhat protected by their waxy covering, regular spray programs may not provide adequate control. High volume applications of recommended insecticides may be necessary to penetrate the wax.
- See the fact sheet from Utah State Univ. at http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/aphids-apple.pdf

By | 2016-03-29T13:10:04-07:00 March 29th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Scale Insects On Oleander

This appears to be scale insects (possibly Black Scale, but the photo does not provide enough detail for species ID), which are sap-sucking insects that, as adults, build a "shell" over themselves so that eggs can be laid protected under the adult body until they emerge as tiny little "crawlers" that will then eventually settle down to suck plant sap, build their own "shell" and continue the reproductive cycle. Scale insects in large numbers can be damaging to plants so you'll want to get this ID confirmed by a local garden center, or some other professional source, and inquire about the appropriate control measures. We've included a link about scale and control measures from the UC Davis for your reference as well. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7408.html

By | 2016-03-29T09:00:53-07:00 March 29th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Bougainvillea Looper

It appears that your plant is under attack by a host specific chewing insect known as the Bougainvillea Looper. This a common pest on bougainvillea in your area. Pick off and dispose of the little critters as you spot them on the plant. One option would be to treat your plant with Bayer Advanced 3-in-1 insect, disease, and mite control. Some organic options include controlling a caterpillar problem with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). It is a bacteria that basically eats the caterpillar from the inside out and works as a contact spray or spray with Spinosad with a 7-10 day residual that should be sprayed in the late afternoon/early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray has dried, it is safe for beneficials.

By | 2016-03-29T06:14:40-07:00 March 29th, 2016|Plant Pests|1 Comment
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Chewing Insect

The problem with chewing insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, etc. is they move about and often are difficult to spot among the green foliage. Chewing insects are usually large enough to see with the naked eye, but they can be green, brown, black, etc. so look closely and pluck off any you see on this plant or its neighbors as long as the infestation is not too extensive. If it is extensive, you can 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 if the problem continues after your sprays, but make sure it is formulated for your specific plant.

By | 2016-03-29T02:43:10-07:00 March 29th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Whitefly

This 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. Always follow the label on the product you choose to spray. Once the spray is dry it is safe for beneficial. There are also chemical formulations that are found at local garden shops that help combat whitefly.

By | 2016-03-28T20:02:29-07:00 March 28th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Leaf Miner

This damage appears to be caused by a leaf miner. A small fly or moth lays its eggs beneath the surface of the leaf and when the eggs hatch, the larvae tunnel thru the leaf tissue, consuming the nutrients in the foliage. Once the damage has been done, nothing will reverse it. Chemical pesticides are not effective against this pest because most products won't penetrate thru the leaf surface although products containing Spinosad have often worked. Once the damage has been done to the leaf, it is not reversible. Usually the damage done by these insects is not going to kill the plant unless the infestation is extensive. Here is a link that you might find helpful: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/PESTS/vegleafminers.html

By | 2016-03-28T15:10:31-07:00 March 28th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Pests Of Basil

It appears that your basil is suffering from the feeding of slugs/snails (unless you see caterpillar poop), and a nutrient deficiency. We've included a link with info about slug/snail control and one about the needs of basil plants. The nutrient deficiency is either caused by a lack of nutrients in the soil (which may require additions of fertilizer) or too much water. Excess water damages roots (especially if temps are cool and/or coastal overcast conditions are frequent) so that the roots can't function to take up nutrients, even if you add fertilizer. Basil performs best in moderately moist, well-drained soil, and may require some fertilizer in poorly managed soils. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7427.html
http://bonnieplants.com/growing/growing-basil/

By | 2016-03-28T02:21:49-07:00 March 28th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Spider Mites

This looks like spider mite damage, though that seems usual for rosemary. 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 | 2016-03-27T23:32:35-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Mandevilla Problem

The photo too far away but we believe by the coloration of the underside of the leaf that you have a mite infestation. You might want to take a bagged sample to your local garden center for a more accurate hands-on diagnosis. One of the best options to treat your plant is to remove and dispose of all affected plant parts but we are not sure you are ready for that. Nonetheless, when the plant starts to go dormant in the colder months, be sure to remove all leaf litter that falls from the plant to try to stem the infestation next year. If you are so inclined, you might try treating your plants with Bayer Advanced 3-in-1 insect, disease, and mite control. A straight insecticide is ineffective against mites because they are arachnids.

By | 2016-03-27T19:07:30-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Plant Pests|1 Comment
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Citrus Leaf Miner

The leaves do not appear to be wilted so much as they are misshapen. This is caused by the citrus leaf miner, a very common insect pest of citrus. A moth lays eggs under the leaf surface and the larvae tunnel through the leaf. It makes the trees look terrible but only threatens young trees. The insects can be difficult to control. You'll want to follow good cultural care practices on the trees to keep them optimally healthy and continue to grow and produce fruit. (Specifically, do not prune and/or fertilize at inappropriate times of year as these insects feed on the newest growth). These two web links have the best info: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74137.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/citrus.html

By | 2016-03-27T13:38:21-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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