Flowers Archives - Page 2 of 3

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are insects in the order Diptera (flies), which have only a single pair of wings. The wings of mosquitoes are narrow and have a fringe of scales on the margins and veins. Mosquitoes have three pairs of long, slender legs and two long antennae. The mouthparts of mosquitoes form an elongate beak called a … Read more

Mites

Mites are small arthropods with two body regions, sucking mouthparts, no antennae, and four pairs of legs as adults. The life cycle of a mite has four active stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. The life cycle requires one to four weeks and can result in high populations when there are favorable conditions. There are … Read more

Mealybugs

Common on houseplants, these sap feeding aphid relatives are also found outdoors in warm climates. The name ‘”‘mealybug’”‘ refers to the female insects’ powdery wax coating- a shield that prevents insecticides from penetrating. Colonies are often dense enough to make a cottony mound on leaves or, more typically, on stems. Target: Soft tissues of most … Read more

Leafrollers

The name ”leaf-roller” applies to the many species of caterpillars that roll leaves around themselves as they feed, creating a protective tube. Color and size vary with the species. Some leafrollers attack only one type of plant, while others eat numerous kinds. When disturbed, leafrollers wriggle backward and drop from the plant on a silken … Read more

Leafhoppers

There are some 2,500 species of these small, agile, wedge-shaped insects; many types are handsomely colored and patterned. Both adults and nymphs, which look like wingless or short-winged adults, suck sap from leaf undersides. Some species favor just one kind of plant, while others enjoy a wide variety. Leaf hoppers run sideways when disturbed and, … Read more

Japanese Beetles

Found primarily in the eastern United States, this pest eats almost everything except vegetables. The C-shaped grubs whitish, up to 1-inch-long, with brown heads and three pairs of legs feed heavily on plant roots; lawns are especially likely to be attacked. When the 1/2 inch long, metallic green beetles with coppery wing covers emerge, they … Read more

Harlequin Bugs

These handsome black-and-orange pests are found largely in the southern half of the country. Shield shaped and 1/4 inch long, the harlequin is a type of stink bug, releasing a foul odor when disturbed. Its highly distinctive eggs resemble neat rows of tiny white barrels with black hoops. Both adults and nymphs suck plant sap. … Read more

Glassy Wing Sharpshooter

Geranium Budworms

Also known as tobacco budworms, these close relatives of the corn earworm burrow into buds and feed from the inside; they also chew fully opened flowers. The striped, 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch long caterpillars are greenish to tan or reddish in color; they cause problems largely in mild climates, since they can’t survive cold … Read more

Flea Beetles

These tiny, oval jumping insects vary in color depending on the species, but most types are black, shiny bronze, or dark blue. Except for a desert species with a particular fondness for corn, all have an appetite for a broad range of edible plants. Adults chew holes in leaves; the white larvae feed on roots, … Read more