Plant Pests

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Psyllid

The raised spots might be the work of psyllids, common name plant lice, small insects that depending on the species are host-specific, that is one species of a psyllid will colonize on one particular plant. They become abundant when temperatures warm and host plants develop fresh growth. The psyllid sucks the nutrients out of the foliage, stems, etc. and galls form on the leaves or buds. They also have ecreta, known as honeydew which can lead to the development of black sooty mold. Most experts agree that the psyllid damage is primarily aesthetic, but if the plant is not growing or the infestation is extensive, suggest you show some clippings to a horticulturist at your local garden center or botanic garden to confirm the problem and possible control.

By | 2016-03-23T20:16:09-07:00 March 23rd, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Damage To Cucumber Fruit

You may have had a visit from a rodent or the slug/snails, or maybe an insect pest. We can't say for certain from this photo what caused the damage, but as you mention you haves some of these organisms around, one of them is the likely cause. Rodents usually will take more tissue when eating, but slugs/snails may do more shallow damage. You can look for the slugs/snails at dusk and dawn and pick them and dispose of them, or you can look for them in moist, dark hiding places during the day (sometimes you'll even find them hiding on the undersides of plant leaves) and dispose of them; sealing them up in a bag and putting them in the trash is an easy quick way. Here' more info about cucumbers and their common pests:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/cucumbers.html

By | 2016-03-23T03:26:23-07:00 March 23rd, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Fungus Gnats

We agree with you that these are likely 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 from egg, to larvae to adult stages and to keep the adults from continually 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 | 2016-03-22T11:50:07-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Holes In Rose Buds

This looks like damage caused by an insect larva commonly called "roseslug". These are not the snails-n-slugs type of organism, rather they are insects (Sawfly) related to bees & wasps, but the larva eat leaf tissue and will feed on rose buds, so when the flower begins to open you see the damage. We've included a link all about pests & diseases of roses for your reference. We do not recommend using pesticides if you do not see the slug-like insect larva, and even then we recommend removing them by hand or using least toxic pesticidal products like soaps and oils. You can find these at your local garden center. When you get to the webpage from this link, scroll down the column under "Vertebrates" and click on Sawflies.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/rose.html

By | 2016-03-22T10:53:25-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Chewing Insect

The problem is likely chewing insects. Likely the caterpillar you photographed or could also be some type of beetle or grasshopper? Look to see if there are more- top and bottom of leaves, day and at night with a flashlight. If there are small black dots, these might be excretions for the insects. You can spray with an organic control effective against chewing insects such as Bt (caterpillars). insecticidal soap or Spinosad. Once the leaves and flowers are damaged, they will not recover but try to control future infestation. Bt is a contact insecticide and Spinosad has a 7-10 day residual. Spray Spinosad in the early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray has dried on the plant it is safe for beneficials.

By | 2016-03-21T19:01:22-07:00 March 21st, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Chewing Insect

Chewing insects include caterpillars and beetles, as well as larger critters like grasshoppers, snails and slugs. Damage done by chewing insects can be controlled by hand-picking and disposing or with an organic product such as Spinosad, an organic control for chewing insects that has a residual of 7-10 days. 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 chemical controls as well available at your local garden centre. Suggest you show a few cuttings to a horticulturist at your local garden centre for confirmation of the problem and recommended treatment. For snails and slugs, use an organic control formulated with iron phosphate - it is safe to use around pets and children.

By | 2016-03-21T09:53:12-07:00 March 21st, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Ants

Ants themselves aren't necessarily a problem unless indoors. But outdoors they often indicate the presence of other insects; aphids, scale, or mealybugs that are "farmed" by the ants for the other insects "honeydew" (excreta). Those insects such as scale, mealybugs or aphids are all sucking insects that may damage your plant, so look for them on the undersides of leaves. Ants harvest the sucking insects ecreta called honeydew and also drink nectar from flowers, which doesn't hurt the plant. Indoors and outdoors there are safe remedies available at your local garden center. Capture a few and show them to your local garden center.Ideally use a bait that ants will take back to their nest so that the entire colony can be killed.

By | 2016-03-21T06:14:25-07:00 March 21st, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Mealy Bugs

These look like mealy bugs on the stem and fruits, a common pest and found in great numbers this year in your region on many different plants. You can spray the tree with soapy water to get rid of them while the fruit ripens, but you will probably see them again. If the infestation is persistent there are commercial sprays available at garden centers for this, but confirm the problem with a horticulturist at your local garden center and follow their recommended control. Usually the label will call for 3 sprays made 8 days apart to break up the life cycle, but make sure it is formulated for fruit trees. Next winter, use a horticultural oil spray while the leaves are off the tree - spray trunk and branches after pruning.

By | 2016-03-21T04:42:23-07:00 March 21st, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Aphids

Your pests are likely aphids, although we can't see them clearly. If they fly, they are probably whiteflies. The black sticky stuff is sooty mold. Aphids and other small, piercing and sucking insects like scale or mealybugs, often require repeated sprayings to kill all stages of the insects. Try spraying every 3-4 days for two weeks, then see if insects recur. Insecticidal soap and neem are good organic options as direct contact sprays. Both are rated for edible plants. You can also spray with a strong stream of water. They're not hard to defeat, but it may take a couple of battles before you win the war. You'll also have to make sure there are no ants in the trees. Here's some more info:http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/citrus.html

By | 2016-03-20T06:25:54-07:00 March 20th, 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 althought products containg Spinosad have often worked. s 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. Suggest you confirm the problem with your horticulturist at a local garden center and if it is leaf miner damage,

By | 2016-03-19T18:19:00-07:00 March 19th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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