Shrubs Archives - Page 2 of 2

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

Lacebugs

Various species of these true bugs are found in all parts of the country. Both the whitish, 1/8-inch-long, lacy winged adults and the darker, wingless nymphs, suck sap from leaf undersides. Despite their wings, adult lace bugs seldom fly; they have a slow sideways movement. Sometimes called lacewings. Target: Many ornamental trees and shrubs, especially … Read more

Gypsy Moths

Since its accidental release in Massachusetts in 1869, this pest has defoliated millions of acres of trees in the East. A notorious hitchhiker (hence the name “gypsy”), it’s gradually moving westward, traveling to new regions as egg masses attached to vehicles. An Asian strain which feeds on an even wider range of plants than 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

Cicadas

These 1 to 2 inch long aphid relatives have a black or mottled body, prominent reddish eyes, short antennae, and transparent wings, Periodical cicadas appear in late spring or early summer; the less harmful dog-day cicadas show up in mid to late summer. Male insects produce a loud buzzing “song” by vibrating membranes on the … Read more

Asian Longhorn Beetle

In their larval stage, numerous types of beetles and some clear wing moths tunnel beneath bark or bore into live wood. Some borers tunnel deep into a branch, making it weak enough to snap in a storm; others tunnel just below the bark, girdling a tree. In many cases, a pest’s tunneling pattern is distinctive … 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

Adelgids

Adelgids are tiny sized that look similar to aphid insects, frequently will cause unusual swellings called galls on conifer trees. Conifers are trees and shrubs that bear cones such as pine, spruce, hemlock, Douglas-fir, true fir, and many others. Adelgids feed by tapping into their host tree/shrub and withdrawing plant sap. Infestations can cause branch … Read more