Flowers Archives

Wireworms

The shiny, reddish brown larvae of the click beetle are the particular bane of gardeners who dote on root crops. Reaching a length of about 1 1/2 inches, wire-worms are hard-shelled and jointed with three pairs of legs just behind the head. They’re especially troublesome in gardens formerly planted as lawns. In hot, dry weather, … Read more

Whiteflies

Some 200 species of these pests cause problems. Like aphids (their close relatives), they’re sap feeders, sucking plant juices from leaf undersides. The adults, which look like tiny white moths, fly up in a cloud when disturbed. Some of the nymphal stages resemble scale insects. Whiteflies are found the year around in warm climates; in … Read more

Tussock Moths

Tussock Moth Larvae (Orgyia sp.) is a spring-hatching rose defoliator that is bristly, and brightly colored. These caterpillars have hairy tufts along their bodies and horn-like tufts on their heads. Only one or two generations of tussock moths hatch each year. Outbreaks tend to be localized because the female moth cannot fly. The females attract … Read more

Thrips

A few types of these narrow, barely visible insects are predators, but most are pests. Some kinds eat just about any plant, while others attack only a single species. Both the fringe-winged adults and the wingless nymphs scrape plant tissues and suck the juices. They often hide in buds and blossoms. Target: Many ornamentals, especially … Read more

Stinkbugs

The nymphs and adults have piercing mouthparts which most use to suck sap from plants, although some eat other insects. When they group in large numbers they can become significant pests. Stinkbugs normally appear during the spring and summer months. During warm months, female stink bugs attach large masses of eggs to the underside of … Read more

Spittlebugs

Frothy bubbles on a plant are a sure sign that these small, triangular, brownish or greenish creatures are in residence.The froth is actually a protective coating produced by the nymphs; the adults don’t produce bubbles. Nymphs are more or less immobile, but adults are winged and will fly or hop away if disturbed. Spittle bugs … Read more

Seed Maggots

The seed maggot generally overwinters as a mature larva in a puparium (pupal case) 8-15cm (3-6 in.) deep in the soil. Adults occasionally hibernate and become active very early in the spring. The adult is a greyish-brown fly, similar to a housefly, but only one half the size. They become active in late April, and … Read more

Scale Insects

Varying in size, shape, and color, the many species of these aphid cousins look like bumps on bark, leaves, and fruit. All are equipped with an insecticide-resistant coat, a leathery or waxy material in the case of soft scales, a sturdier covering for armored scales. Young scales (called crawlers) move around the plant, but they … Read more

Rose Chafers

Unlike most insects named after particular plants, the rose chafer doesn’t limit itself to one target. It’s a general pest. The 2 1/2 inch long adults, slender, long legged, and light tan in color, feed in swarms, attacking flowering plants first, then moving on to other kinds of plants. The slim, white, 1/4 inch long … Read more

Root Weevils

Many species of root weevils cause trouble. The black vine weevil feasts on plants such as yew, rhododendrons, members of the rose family, and small fruits; the strawberry root weevil attacks a wide variety of plants, ranging from strawberries to arborvitae. The vegetable weevil (shown) feeds on carrots, tomatoes, spinach, and other plants.Adults of all … Read more