Information and discussion regarding garden diseases, insects and other unwelcome critters.
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August 4, 2015 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: San Diego-Tijuana
Posts: 2,594
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Death Warrants Issued. Help. Warning: CLOSE-UPs of my finger!
Hello all:
These guys are doing a number on my trusses, especially the PL plants. death warrant 3.TV.jpg They come in green and light brown, and there's also a smaller/rounder version. death warrant 5.jpg I suspect my Neem/DE treatments for spidermites took out their predators. death warrant 4.TV.jpg And now the new growth and the trusses below it have been wiped out by these guys on select plants. Some suffering more (Couilles de Taureau, most of my PLs, Danko) and others seemingly unaffected (Brad's Black Heart). They leave tell-tale brown marks where they leech away their day. damage to truss.tV.jpg pre.TV.jpg post.TV.jpg It's not all bad news. It seems the DE treatments have not affected bees. Here's a happy camper for all you bee lovers. sunflower tall 2.TV.bee.jpg for bee lovers.TV.jpg And one final sunflower from this morning. sunflower tall 3.TV.jpg Can you please offer your favorite way to eliminate my unwanted guests? Much appreciated! Waiting for sundown to Neem 'em. |
August 4, 2015 | #2 |
BANNED FOR LIFE
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 13,333
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I use Garden Safe.
If that doesn't work, I use Triazicide. I've used Malathion in years past. |
August 4, 2015 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 2,000
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What are they?
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August 4, 2015 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
Posts: 2,466
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I don't do anything about aphids, I've learned that if you don't spray insecticides all over the place the braconid wasps will come around and take the aphids out for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLtUk-W5Gpk |
August 4, 2015 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 5,928
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Awesome macros
KarenO |
August 4, 2015 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10
Posts: 9,283
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They aren't aphids, they are common named tomato bugs. Engytatus Modestus is their taxonomic name. Formerly called Cyrtopeltus Modestus. They are a true bug with a hard body, and Neem wont even touch them, it only kills soft bodied insects. They love to feed on tomato blossoms and then they fall off. The only thing I found that actually killed mine was, unfortunately, Sevin. I have gotten them for 2 years now, they are horrible.
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August 4, 2015 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Posts: 3,099
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Dang hate that for you, being hard bodied DE powder should work? Never had them so can't say for sure but it should.
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August 4, 2015 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 360
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HA! The MC Hammer of "pollen pants" on that bee. So cool and great shots!
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August 4, 2015 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl.
Posts: 2,492
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When I need some natural interference I go to this outfit.Good info for other pests.
http://www.arbico-organics.com/categ...r-guide-aphids
__________________
KURT |
August 4, 2015 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
Posts: 2,466
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Never heard of Tomato Bugs before. How far north do they range?
I see they are an omnivore of the insect world, they prey on soft body insects like aphids and white fly. |
August 4, 2015 | #11 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10
Posts: 9,283
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Quote:
Please could you put up a link that you got for your research on them? I would like to read about their feeding habits and anything else, because I think I am going to be seeing them more and more. I know they lay eggs inside a stem snd you can see a raised brown area where they are, which is a weak area that can break when the stem has a weight or wind stress on it. My observation is that they like tomato plants much better than aphids and white flies. |
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August 5, 2015 | #12 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
Posts: 2,466
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Quote:
Stop Tomato Bugs From Sucking Your Crops Dry Meet the Tomato Bug! Tomato bugs could be a problem in small farms and home gardens |
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August 5, 2015 | #13 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10
Posts: 9,283
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Quote:
Still reading, these links are excellent. A year ago, I googled and could find almost nothing. |
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August 5, 2015 | #14 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: San Diego-Tijuana
Posts: 2,594
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Quote:
This seems to be common wording: "There is no information available on natural enemies, pesticide treatments, or other management options specific to tomato bugs." Yet it seems most recommend to follow stink bug management reqs, so I will follow suit. The UC IPM pest management guidelines are here: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783300211.html I'm gonna walk in to the Ag supply store and find the right tool for the job, based on the above link. Will definitely report on the outcomes. |
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August 4, 2015 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: south texas
Posts: 114
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They are bad news. I had them 4 years ago. I had already set a big crop of tomatoes so I still had a good crop of tomatoes. but everything above what was already set did not make one tomato. they feed on the stem below the terminal and any truss above that is history.I used malathion to kill them. I haven't had a problem since then but I keep a eye out for them. Nobody around here has had a problem with them. They didn't know what they were.
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