Eleven Common Garden Pests: Identification and Management

It ’s June . We ’re in the pith of the gardening time of year and plant- damaging garden pests are active . This article discuss common pests , what they attack , how to identify them , and options to carry off them . It look at anIntegrated Pest Management ( IPM)approach , focusing on non - chemic - base tactics and lower impingement chemicals approve for manipulation by the USDA Organic Program . Links are provided that identify synthetic pesticides for gardeners who see no other option .

If you are unfamiliar with different treatments , review the references at the destruction of the article that explain what the dissimilar substances do and how to apply them .

In all cases , keep abreast habit directions on the product labels , for your and our surround ’s interest .

Japanese Beetles

Adult Japanese beetles run on the foliage , flowers , and fruit of 300 industrial plant species , eatable and decorative . In addition , their larvae are white grubs that run off the roots of turfgrass and can do browning out of patches of lawn . The larvae face like other white grubs but are identifiable by v - shaped hairsbreadth on the undersurface of their abdominal cavity . elaborate information on mallet and grub control is available in the publicationWhite Grub Management in Turfgrassfrom the Clemson University Cooperative Extension .

As the pic present , adult beetle eat the leafage between folio vein . unaccented plants are most susceptible to serious hurt . flower are ruined .

Control actions let in :

The publicationJapanese Beetlesfrom the West Virginia Extension provides more detail .

Cabbage moth

A variety of moth larvae attack plant from the brassica family including moolah , Brassica oleracea botrytis , broccoli , colewort / collards , Brassica napus napobrassica , Raphanus sativus and turnips . The moths deposit eggs on the underside of leaves . When they hatch , the larvae strip the plant leaves between vein . Common varieties are theimported cabbage worm , cabbage looper , rhombus endorse moth larvaandcross striped cabbage worm . They are dynamic from mid - May through icing .

To pull off damage :

The articleCaterpillar Pests of Brassica Vegetablesfrom the Utah State University Extension summarizes pests and treatment .

Cucumber Beetles

Striped and spot cucumber vine beetlesfeed on the leafage of cucurbits , admit Cucumis sativus , melon , pumpkins , and squash plants , causing leafage Elizabeth Barrett Browning . The bigger issue is that the beetle transmit a bacterial wilt disease that drink down plant and can taint ring plant . Infected plant life should be immediately removed and ruin .

Deeper explanation of cucumber beetle direction is useable in the publicationCucumber Beetles in Home Gardensfrom the University of Minnesota Extension .

Colorado Potato Beetles

Both the larvae and adult Colorado potato beetle feed on the leafage of white potato , eggplant , and to a lesser arcdegree , tomato plant and pepper plant . grievous infestation will also damage fruit . alive period is May through August .

direction options let in :

Detailed intervention of potato beetle is offered inColorado Potato Beetles in the Home Gardenfrom the University of Minnesota Extension andColorado Potato Beetlesfrom the University of West Virginia Extension .

Stink Bugs

Stink bugs use their suck mouth part to damage many plant , but are note for damage to beans , corn , tomatoes , and okra . There are about 50 species that are pests and a chemical group that are beneficial , including thespined soldier bug . The beneficials are identifiable by their sharp berm tips vs rounded edge on the pests .

Signs of stink hemipterous insect damage include :

direction tactics :

Further item is available fromStink Bugs- Vegetables and fruit , University of Maryland Extension .

Aphids

aphid are small cushy - bodied insects of many colours that suck fluid from works leave , have browning and distortion . They release a honeydew that encourages sooty mould , and they can convey viruses . They are appeal to tender unseasoned leaves and show up early in spring when new growth begins . They are also a common twelvemonth - round houseplant pestilence .

Control quantity :

For a cryptic diving into aphid controller check outIntegrated Pest Management for Aphidsfrom the Clemson University Extension .

Hornworms

Tomato hornworms are large unripe cat with trumpet - like tails that feed on the foliage and light-green fruit of nightshade family plants : most commonly Lycopersicon esculentum but also eggplant , tater , and capsicum . Moths lay eggs on leave in spring , the caterpillars bung for 3 or 4 weeks , then drop off plant , tunnel into the soil , and pupate . A 2d generation emerge in mid - summer .

Control measures include :

Squash Bugs

Squash bugs over - wintertime as adult and provender on cucurbit flora from early June through mid - summer . Females lay batches of about 20 copper - tinge eggs on leaf undersides . Eggs hatch in 10 twenty-four hour period and nymph ripen over 4 - 6 week . They hide under leaves when vex . Their feeding cause folio wilt . They are not disease carriers .

Squash Vine Borer

Squash vine borers are the larva of a wasp - like clean wing moth that lays testicle at the bag of squash plants . The larvae burrow into the vines , feast on the vine center , blocking the flow of water through the plant , have wilting . They are typically fighting from June through August .

ascendance :

Additional data is available fromSquash Borersby the Cornell Extension .

Leaf Miners

folio miners are fly ball whose larvae , white cultivated carrot - determine legless worms without a visible head , burrow inside leaves , leaving livid patches . They lash out numerous edible and decorative plants , typically not harm plant wellness but damaging leafy vegetables .

control :

Flea Beetles

Flea beetle are tiny black beetles that create hole in leaves of many plants , including radishes , broccoli , and cabbage , turnip , eggplant , black pepper , love apple , potatoes , spinach , and melons . Severe damage can stunt or droop plants .

More information is uncommitted inFlea Beetles in Home Gardensfrom the University of Minnesota Extension .