PESTS
When they emerge as adult insects,
they seek out other aphids to continue
the cycle. The remaining hollow aphid
carcass that these wasps leave in their
wake is known as an aphid mummy.
If using beneficial insects makes you
a bit queasy or sounds too much like
science fiction, you can use a variety
of liquid applications that are naturally derived from plants to effectively
kill aphids by suffocating them or
interfering with their body functions.
Pyrethrins, not to be confused with the
man-made pyrethroids, is an extract
from the Chrysanthemum plant. It is a
common ingredient in many organic
insecticides. It works by confusing the
nervous system of the aphids, leading
to paralysis and death. Azadirachta
indica or the neem tree of India is
the source of another bio-pesticide,
neem oil. Neem-based products can be
applied to infested plants as either a
foliar spray or as a soil drench.
Regardless of the method you have
selected to control your aphid problem, multiple applications will be
required. If you are using bio-controls
such as lady beetles or parasitic wasps,
it is important to release them on a
regular basis to keep their populations
sufficient for pest control. If you opt for
a spray treatment, plan on applying the
product two or three times every seven
to 10 days, making sure to get thorough
leaf coverage, both on the undersides
as well as the tops and stems.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies, as their name implies,
are white, flying insects. There are
several species of whiteflies out
there, all of which are closely related
to aphids. Like aphids, whiteflies
are visible without magnification.
They damage plants by sucking the
sap from them, but their damage
appears differently than damage
from aphids. Leaves damaged during
whitefly feeding will turn yellow or
brown and drop off prematurely.
They may get a speckled appearance
before turning color.
Like aphids, whiteflies also secrete
honeydew with the same potential
"
results of attracting ants and fostering
the development of black, sooty mold
on leaves that may be below where
the whiteflies are feeding. These pests
are also prolific reproducers and
each female whitefly can lay up to
400 eggs in her lifetime. Her nymphs
will immediately begin sucking on
leaves once they have hatched and
can stay fixed in one spot, feeding for
up to four weeks as they pupate into
adult whiteflies. A heavy infestation of
whiteflies will appear as a burst of smoke
when disturbed. Care should be taken
to not wear light-colored clothing when
working around plants with whiteflies
as they can easily be transported to
other plants unknowingly.
Whiteflies can be controlled with
beetles and parasitic wasps, like their
aphid cousins, but different beneficial
species are better at controlling them. A
small, black beetle, known as Delphastus
pusillus, which is about the same size as
the whiteflies themselves, will feed on all
stages of whiteflies, but they prefer the
eggs and nymphs. They are especially
useful in high-infestation areas, as they
If using beneficial insects makes
you a bit queasy or sounds too
much like science fiction, you can
use a variety of liquid applications
that are naturally derived from
plants to effectively kill aphids by
suffocating them or interfering
with their body functions."
102
Maximum Yield USA | June 2016