INSECTS HAVE ARRIVED
Our perennials, shrubs and trees are putting out new growth and this delicate and succulent growth attracts a variety of insects. The gardener should be on the lookout for aphids, ambrosia beetles, bagworms, leafminer, Japanese beetles, planthopper, scale and white flies
Aphids Ambrosia Beetle Sawdust Spines
Bagworms Leafminer
Aphids: These tiny insects congregate on new plant growth of many plants, sucking plant juices, causing curled or puckered leaves. They excrete a sticky honeydew which promotes the growth of black sooty mold on the foliage.
Ambrosia Beetle: They attack various trees and shrubs, boring into the wood and eject sawdust which protrudes from the host. They introduce a fungus which clogs the vascular system.
Bagworms: This insect attacks conifers and junipers primarily but will feed on all deciduous and evergreen trees. It can defoliate a tree in one to two years.
Leafminer: Small flies puncture leaf surfaces, deposit their eggs, and the larvae burrow tunnels between the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf leaving blotches of damaged tissue. Leaves turn yellow and may drop prematurely
Japanese beetles Planthopper
Soft Scale Armored Scale
Japanese
Beetle: They attack various plants causing serious defoliation and reducing
plant vigor.
Planthopper: Related to leafhoppers and looking similar to mealybugs, planthoppers feed on the underside of leaves.
Soft Scale: These insects secrete honeydew which promotes the growth of black sooty mold.
Armored Scale: These insects secrete a waxy covering over their bodies to protect them as they suck plant juices.
Whitefly: Immature whiteflies attach to the underside of leaves and resemble soft scale. They suck juices from the leaves leaving them stippled yellow. Plants become weakened and growth stunted. These insects secrete honeydew which promotes the growth of black sooty mold.
Whitefly
To learn more about these prevalent insects and others that may be found in your landscape go to the following websites:
www.cobbextension.com Click on Horticulture
www.ent.uga.edu Click on Departmental Publications. Under Ornamental/Turf, click on Control of Common Pests of Landscape Plants
www.apps.caes.uga.edu/urbanag/ Click on Home & Garden, Insects
www.ces.ncsu.edu Click on Lawn & Garden, Pest Management for Trees, Shrubs & Woody Ornamentals
An effective control program includes a weekly inspection of plants during the growing season to detect these pests. Remember to look at the underside of the leaves. Identify the pest in order to implement appropriate control methods. Chemical controls may be required if a serious infestation occurs. The following publications provide control information:
Control of Common Pests of Landscape Plants, Bulletin 1074
www.ent.uga.edu Click on Departmental Publications. Under Ornamental/Turf, click on Control of Common Pests of Landscape Plants
2006 Georgia Pest Management Handbook www.ent.uga.edu/pmh/Horticultural_Crops/Horticultural_Crops.htm Click on Woody Ornamentals Home Insect Control
The Cooperative Extension is happy to assist you with your landscape and gardening problems. Our phone number is 770-528-4070.
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