Flowers Archives - Page 3 of 3

Earwigs

Contrary to the old wives’ tale, these nocturnal, 3/4 inch long, reddish brown insects don’t crawl into human ears and bore into the brain with their mean looking pincers. Earwigs do nibble on plants though-but they usually do more good than harm, since they eat decaying matter and other insects. Due to their habit of … Read more

Cutworms

So named because they chew seedlings off at ground level, cutworms are the larvae of various moths. Up to 2 inches long and of diverse color, the hairless caterpillars feed at night; during the day, they can be found underground or beneath debris near a food source, curled up in a ‘C’ shape. Target: Young … Read more

Curculios

These beetles resemble other members of the weevil group in having a long, curved snout. The larvae are grayish white, legless grubs. Most curculio species, including the plum curculio (shown), pecan weevil, black walnut curculio, and rose curculio, attack a narrow range of hosts. The plum curculio, found east of the Rockies except along the … Read more

Crickets

Crickets, are insects somewhat related to grasshoppers, and more closely related to katydids or bush crickets. They have somewhat flattened bodies and long antennae. There are about 900 species of crickets. They tend to be nocturnal and are often confused with grasshoppers because they have a similar body structure including jumping hind legs. Crickets are … Read more

Colorado Potato Beetle

Though native to the Rocky Mountains, this pest long ago spread to all other parts of the United States except California and Nevada. The 3/8-inch long adult beetle is easy to spot: the showy polka-dot vest and striped pants are dead giveaways. The small, red-humped nymphs have articulated legs and rows of dark spots along … Read more

Cabbage Loopers

Green with pale stripes, this caterpillar has legs at the front and back, but more in the middle―a peculiarity that gives it a characteristic humpback or looping crawl. Fully grown, the pests are about 1½ inches long. Target: Cole crops, lettuce, celery, tomatoes, and various other vegetables and flowers. Damage: Large, irregular holes are chewed … Read more

Blister Beetles

Although markings vary greatly depending on the species, blister beetles are easily identified by their physique: the middle section of the body is noticeably smaller than the head or abdomen. The majority of these pests are well under an inch long. Target: Many flowers and vegetables, especially those belonging to the tomato family. Damage: Leaves … Read more

Aphids

Aphids come in a variety of colors and are small, pear-shaped, and soft-bodied, these slow-moving sucking insects usually congregate in clusters. They’re sitting ducks for many natural enemies-but nonetheless, they prosper, thanks to their prolific reproduction. The many species come in a wide range of colors; usually wingless, they’re equipped with two tubes, called cornicles, … Read more