Is something bugging your garden? Well, Disney pest-management technician Maryanne Baglos has a lesson that may help you identify and collect what's eating your favorite plants. First, check the foliage for telltale signs of pest damage: discoloration or yellowing (figure A), holes, curled or even dead leaves. Most important, inspect the new growth: that's where many insects such as aphids like to hang out, because the tender leaves are quite succulent. If leaves appear chewed, expect caterpillars or slugs. Caterpillars tend to nibble leaf edges; slugs hit the centers first. Also examine the undersides of leaves. No bugs could be seen on the top of the yellowing camellia shown here, but underneath the leaves is evidence of tea-scale insects (figure B). A bad infestation of this scale (Fiorinia theae) looks like laundry lint. If you can see a culprit on your plants but aren't sure exactly what it is, pull off a sample of the pest and place it in a plastic pill vial or small jar. If the idea of handling bugs just doesn't appeal, use an aspirator (figure C), a device that makes it quick and easy to collect small pests. Simply position the small end of the tube over the bug, place the other end of the tube in your mouth and inhale -- the bug(s) will be swiftly pulled into the vial. Then you'll have easy access to the insects for identification purposes. Next, examine the specimen with a hand lens or magnifying glass, then consult a good insect-identification source -- a reputable book or Internet information center or your local county agricultural extension agent. A knowledgeable horticulturist at a local garden center or your local reference librarian may also be able to help.
RESOURCES :
Best Source for Identification of Pests
The first and best source for the identification of pests of all kinds is your local county agricultural extension office. Many extension services or their affiliating state universities offer web pages that aid identification and invite questions by e-mail. You can find links to 35 extension services on line at www. hortnet.com/default.html. Check Virginia Polytechnic University's (Blacksburg, Virginia) site at www. ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/ornamentals/slideshow.html
Learning About and Living With Insects in the Southwest
Model: 1555610609
Author: Floyd G. Werner and Carl A. Olson
Fisher Books
1994
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