|
Post by datgirl on Jul 31, 2023 15:49:18 GMT -5
So I found Tomato Horn worm damage to two tomato plants. Stripped leaves, a small tomato chewed on, but for the life of me I can't find the horn worm. Didn't see any poop either. We have A Lot of birds in and around the garden. So my question is, do birds pick the little devils off plants? One of the plants is pretty small, it was a left over, so it's way behind the others. After cutting off the damaged branches, I searched that plant from top to bottom and found nothing. I've read you can go out there at night with a black light, but I got rid of mine years ago.
So this was all last night and there is no new damage on the two plants today. What do you guys think?
|
|
|
Post by gardendmpls on Jul 31, 2023 19:34:27 GMT -5
do birds pick the little devils off plants? House wrens and chickadees eat hornworms. Paper wasps do too.
|
|
|
Post by Mumsey on Aug 7, 2023 8:33:49 GMT -5
Figured out what that beetle is that I've never seen before. Margined Blister Beetle. They are quite large and do lots of damage. Right now the chard is their dining station. Apparently you can get blisters from secretions from their legs..... I've also seen them on tomato leaves, which they ate entirely, and some potato leaves. Grrr......
|
|
|
Post by breezygardener on Aug 7, 2023 11:06:40 GMT -5
Ugh - Blister Beetles are HORRIBLE. I've yet to see one here at home, but my local hay farmer is vigilant in checking for them on his crops. They're very fond of alfalfa. Only FOUR of them ingested can kill a horse - ditto cattle, sheep, etc. - & there really is no treatment apart from supportive care.
|
|
|
Post by Mumsey on Aug 8, 2023 18:07:11 GMT -5
I got a reply from email I sent to Iowa State University Entomolgy re: blister beetles. They reiterated what I had already read, but said that they only appear when conditions are perfect for them. Like now. And when grasshoppers are plentiful, I've noticed alot of grasshoppers. Both are attracted to dry conditions, the beetles burrow in the ground and eat grasshopper larvae. That's all fine and good, but they also decimate other things. They must think there are lots of grasshopper larvae in my garden. A crap shoot. I'm seeing more damage from the beetles than grasshoppers.
|
|
|
Post by beanspepper on Aug 11, 2023 16:37:10 GMT -5
So I found Tomato Horn worm damage to two tomato plants. Stripped leaves, a small tomato chewed on, but for the life of me I can't find the horn worm. Didn't see any poop either. We have A Lot of birds in and around the garden. So my question is, do birds pick the little devils off plants? One of the plants is pretty small, it was a left over, so it's way behind the others. After cutting off the damaged branches, I searched that plant from top to bottom and found nothing. I've read you can go out there at night with a black light, but I got rid of mine years ago.
So this was all last night and there is no new damage on the two plants today. What do you guys think? While birds can indeed be helpful in controlling tomato hornworm populations their effectiveness as natural predators can vary depending on the bird species present in your garden and their foraging habits. Some bird species, like certain types of songbirds and chickens, are known to feed on tomato hornworms. However, the effectiveness of birds as natural predators can vary depending on the bird species present in your garden and their foraging habits. If you're unable to locate the hornworms despite diligent searching, it's possible that they might have been removed by birds, fallen to the ground, or moved to a different part of the garden. Additionally, other factors such as temperature and environmental conditions can influence hornworm activity. Keep an eye on your tomato plants for any further signs of damage, and consider employing other organic pest control methods, such as introducing beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that target hornworms.
|
|
|
Post by datgirl on Aug 11, 2023 17:10:44 GMT -5
beanspepper,Thanks for the reply. No new damage on any plants since then. I have a lot of wasps and bees out there. Last year I found a couple of the horn worms with the parasitic wasp cocoons, none so far this year. I'll just keep looking everyday for damage.
|
|
|
Post by Mumsey on Aug 18, 2023 17:11:50 GMT -5
The JBs are still in full force. They are even attacking Marigolds, what's up with that? They like Canna lilies too, but haven't found the one close to the house. I thought they were diminishing in numbers, but nope.
|
|
|
Post by datgirl on Aug 19, 2023 10:43:56 GMT -5
Mumsey,I think ours are done. I haven't seen one in few days.
|
|
|
Post by binnylou on Aug 19, 2023 13:10:46 GMT -5
datgirl, they’re still out there. The population at the beetle traps seems to depend on sunshine and temperature. On a hot sunny day, they are swarming the traps. I’ve found a few on my roses and flower planters at front of the house. I ordered a new pheromone for the trap, but a different brand. I didn’t realize it was specifically designed for another trap brand and hubby took charge of installing it. I found a couple of beetles on my golf cart, then I found more of them. I even had one inside my shirt. I felt like I was being swarmed by them. I told hubby about this…the new pheromone didn’t have an adhesive backing to stick to the trap, so he put it in a baggie and stuck it in the drink holder on my cart. No wonder the b@$€@rd$ we’re chasing me!!
|
|
|
Post by datgirl on Aug 19, 2023 14:57:45 GMT -5
Yipes, I hope you trapping so many this year, lowers the population next year. Everyone I drown, I figure is one less to reproduce.
|
|
|
Post by gianna on Sept 1, 2023 12:56:17 GMT -5
I just saw a new (to me) insect in the flower garden. A Tarantula Hawk wasp, Very large and fierce looking. About 2 inches long, very leggy, black body and legs, rust/orange wings. Parasitic on tarantulas- I've only seen one tarantula here in 30 years. This insect is said to have one of the very most painful, intense bites of any insect, though the pain lasts only about 5 minutes and is not harmful. That's good, but if I see another, I'll keep my distance. They feed on nectar and are said to be non-aggressive. I think I did see another about a week ago, but could not get close enough for a good look.
|
|
|
Post by Wheelgarden on Sept 15, 2023 13:59:07 GMT -5
Making baby mantises, on the hummingbird feeder.
|
|
|
Post by emmsmommy on Mar 7, 2024 19:15:45 GMT -5
Squash bugs! How do y'all deal with them? I never really had an issue with them years ago but since I jumped back into gardening in 2020 I've had problems with them destroying my squash and cucumbers. Going to try netting some this year but that isn't the most practical solution.
|
|
|
Post by pepperhead212 on Mar 7, 2024 20:13:17 GMT -5
I don't have much problem with squash bugs, with my squash or cucumbers, probably because starting early, I spray them with Surround - fine kaolin powder, which stays on the plants fairly well in a mild rain, and it takes a heavy rain to wash it off. I also spray it on eggplants and okra, for flea beetles, and tomatoes for various bugs, except for cherry tomatoes (stop, once they set fruits), as they are a pain to rub off of those small fruits. I keep a sprayer with Surround and some potassium bicarbonate, which I use for as preventive fungicide, on many of the same plants. Unfortunately, this doesn't work against the squash vine borer.
|
|