Ladybird & Aphids Soldier Beetle Vine Weevil Sawfly
Welcome guest or garden pest ?
Hello bug , who are you ? How do you decide whether an insect you find on or around your plants is a pest or a welcome guest ? Please don ’ t assume they are out to sabotage your plot ; we need to encourage all sorts of wildlife into the garden , as biodiversity is key to a balance of life .
A very simple test for insects that don ’ t fly could help you decide if they might be friend or foe : if it moves quickly , it is more likely to be a beneficial predator , while if it is slowmoving , it could be a plant-eating nuisance .
Common pests Try to remove vine weevils , lily beetles and box tree moths before they have a chance to lay eggs . Numbers of these pests have proliferated over the past decade . Box caterpillars are destroying many of our native box plants ( Buxus sempervirens ), which are popular for garden and landscape use as well as occurring in the wild . Use biological controls , where available , and pick off adult beetles or caterpillars by hand .
Aphids are not a huge problem , even though they might affect plant growth . Ladybirds , lacewing , hoverflies and birds make excellent aphid eaters , and nurturing your garden ecosystem will encourage these beneficial creatures . Cabbage moth caterpillars are probably the most common problem in the allotment , and netting susceptible plants is the most efficient way to prevent damage to brassica plants . But , once again , a healthy ecosystem to encourage natural predators will help with the control . Planting marigolds as companions nearby also helps to repel them .
Sawflies belong to a large group of insects related to bees
26 < Boxmoor Direct < June 2024 <