Vegetables Archives - Page 2 of 5

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

Root Maggots

These pests thrive in cool, moist, highly organic soils. The several species include cabbage and onion maggots, found primarily in the northern United States, and the seed-corn maggot, a widespread pest which destroys germinating seeds. The adults of most species look like gray houseflies. The white, legless, burrowing maggots have a pointy head and a … Read more

Psyllids

The several species of these aphid size insects, which suck sap primarily from leaf undersides, are sometimes called jumping plant lice. They feed on a variety of plants, including fruit trees; the pear psylla (shown) is the most damaging pear tree pest in the United States. Psyllids are extremely variable in appearance. The greenish or … Read more

Potato Tuberworms

A pinkish white, 1/2 inch long caterpillar with a brown head, this pest tunnels into the stems, tubers, and fruit of its target plants. It’s a problem in the southern half of the United States. Target: Primarily potatoes, but sometimes tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers. Damage: Tunneling spoils tubers and fruit and causes shoots to wilt … Read more

Plant Bugs

Plant Bugs (Tarnished, Four Lined, Scentless…) are extremely agile insect owes its name to its mottled brown coloring. A true bug, it has a shield-shaped body with a triangular arrangement of white spots on the thorax. The long-legged, adults have a black-tipped yellow triangle at the end of each fore-wing; the nymphs are pale yellow. … Read more

Parsleyworms

This elusive, 2 inch long, brilliantly colored caterpillar, which protrudes a pair of orange horns when disturbed, is rarely seen in gardens. Although technically a pest, it’s so pretty you may want to overlook the paltry damage it does. Left alone, it will metamorphose into a gorgeous black and yellow swallow tail butterfly another reason … Read more

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