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Ornamentals and Turf |
Japanese Beetle adults are on the verge of emerging from the soil. Dry conditions and hard soil may be temporarily refraining this foliage feeding insect. Any areas that have received rainfall or thunder showers may see these beetles appear.
Casual use of Japanese beetle traps is not enough to measurably suppress a local population. Additionally, Dr. Dan Potter at the University of Kentucky has shown that in an individual yard, if none of the neighbors are using traps, it is sometimes worse to have a trap than not. The problem is the traps are so much better at attracting the beetles than actually catching them that you have more beetles in the vicinity of the trap than inside the trap. This is especially true if the bags are not emptied regularly. Once captured beetles begin to die in the bag, ammonia repels live beetles from entering the trap. However, the pheromone continues calling the beetles for a much greater distance than the ammonia repels them. The net result is greater plant damage than would have occurred in the absence of the trap. If you use traps, at least place them away from plants that are to be protected and empty them every day.
Sevin and other insecticides are labeled for Japanese beetles and are effective in controlling adult feeding as long as the residue remains on the plant. It is recommended not try to control Japanese beetles on blooms so as not to kill pollinators (and it is against the product labeling).
Golden tortoise beetles are colorful beetles that are fond of sweetpotato leaves (including the ornamental type) and morning glory. They can readily riddle the leaves full of holes. They also tend to loose their metallic color when removed from the foliage. If the damage is severe, Sevin insecticide is an effective alternative for protection. Several applications may need to be made about 7 days apart.
Giant barklice (Psocids) were reported this week in Perquimins County. Barklice are small, fragile, sometimes strikingly-marked insects that have chewing mouthparts and a relatively large head. They are usually about 1/8 inch in length, but are conspicuous when they band together in herds on the trunks of trees and shrubs. They may be noticed with or without wings. Barklice feed on molds, fungi, pollen, fragments of dead insects and other detritus. None of the barklice are capable of injuring plants. Barklice are gregarious and are often seen in groups. Sometimes they are referred to as bark cattle. Since they are not harming the tree, no pesticide recommendation seems appropriate. The following images are of what we suspect is Ceratipsocus venosus: image 1; image 2.
Miner bees, Anthophora abrupta, are one of many familiar black and yellow summertime bees often mistaken for bumble bees or carpenter bees. These, however, are solitary bees that do not collect honey and do not sting, though they could bite if handled roughly. They are garden pollinators and serve an increasingly important role as honey bee populations decline. Gardeners can actually enhance miner bee populations by providing dried mud blocks for nesting. In North Carolina, they emerge in May and are active for about 8 weeks. They normally nest in bare, hard soil, more often on steep slopes or vertical surfaces of adobe or hard clay. They have also been collected burrowing between stones of old chimneys built with non-cement mortar. Some of the flowers on which they have been recorded are azalea, Oenothera, Penstemon, Rubus, Asclepias, Cornus, Delphinium, Iris, Monarda, Nepeta, Rosa, Diospyros, Melilotus, Trifolium and Pastinaca (parsnip). For more information and pictures, see Ornamental and Turf Insect Note No. 114.
Fleahoppers are small plant bugs which feed on various garden plants. Females tend to be oval with short wings or more slender with longer wings. Males are even more slender. Fleahoppers cause pale spots on the upper leaf surface, and they deposit specks of excrement on the lower surface. Heavily-infested leaves drop from plants prematurely. There are at least five generations per year in North Carolina. Typically, garden fleahopper infestations are sporadic so that one application of a pesticide may bring relief. If severe enough to treat, malathion, Sevin or Orthene insecticides should provide adequate control of fleahoppers.
Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Last modified on June 10, 2002 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.
