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Bronze Orange Bug (Pests)
Description: When young they are thin green and transparent in later stages of development they become pink and then orange with a black spot, the adults are bronze to dark brown and winged. They produce foul smelling secretions. These bugs suck the sap from the plant they prefer the new growth and the stalks of the fruit and flowers. This leads to necrosis of new shoots and fruit and flowers fall.
Affects: Citrus
Solution: The adults can be removed by hand and drop in bucket of soapy water ( wear gloves the insects leave a yellow/brown stain) - It is easier to remove them when they are still at the orange nymph stage as they are easier to see. Some people recommend removal using a vacuum cleaner, but don't use your best cleaner!
The best time for chemical control is during winter /early spring whilst the bugs are in an early nymph stage, thin, green and fragile. Use Pest Oil to spray tree, aiming for the underside of leaves where the young hide.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Brown Lace Lerp (Pests)
Description: The Brown Lace Lerp feeds on Eucalyptus trees.
Insect is a small psyllid that lives under a small shell-like cover called a Lerp. It is a sap sucker and attaches itself to the leaf blade. The leaves then develop yellow blocky patches that turn brown. The leaves gradually turn completely brown and fall. In severe cases the tree can look as if it has been scorched by fire.
Affects: All Eucalyptus particularly Eucalyptus robusta. Stressed trees are more susceptible.
Solution: Treatment of the tree will depend on its size. If the tree is very large then reduce the stress and improve the health of the tree.
If the tree is small then Pest Oils, contact or Systemic are possible option. Of course will also need to improve the tree's health at the same time.
If you cant save the tree and need to remove then replace it with a resistant species
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Brown Rot (Disease)
Description: It displays as small cankers on branches and stems which exude a sticky gum. The blossoms turn brown, wilt and die. The fruit show small brown patches with light brown powdery spores on them, within 3-5 days will be completely rotten.
Affects: Stone Fruit
Solution: Prune away infected areas of plant. Remove all infected fruit and destroy. Avoid overhead watering. Check best time for pruning and prune to create a shape that allows for good air circulation and access to sprays.
Use a preventative fungicide at Leaf Curl Copper Fungicide, Gk Copper Spray + white oil.
Note: Use registered fungicides with care. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Bryobia Mite (Pests)
Description: Eggs laid on the rough surfaces of bark and in fork of branches in winter. Mites hatch in spring, for first few days are bright red but gradually turn brown. The mites feed on the upper surface of the new growth and give the leaves a mottled appearance. The new leaves can fail to grow.
Affects: Apples Pears and some stoned fruit trees.
Solution: The best time to control these mite is before they hatch. During winter spray the trees with White Oil - pay special attention to rough areas of bark and the forks in tree. If application was missed or unsuccessful use a miticide as soon as mites are detected, try wettable sulphur.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Budworms (Pests)
Description: There are many different species of Budworm and these tend to be species specific.
The adult moth is an undistinguished grey brown and only seen at night. It is the larvae of this pest that causes all the damage to flowers, flower buds and fruit. The larvae chews its way through the soft plant tissue and leaves behind tell-tale tunnels and dying flowers or fruit.
The larvae varies in colour depending on the host plant but all have smooth bodies with light coloured stripes along the body.
These insects have a short life cycle with many generations each year and consequently can cause much damage.
Photo credit: Jeff Hahn University of Minnasota extension
Affects: A wide range of plants including tomatoes, sweetcorn, beans, gardenia, roses and carnations
Solution: This can be a difficult pest to control because once the larvae has tunneled into the flower or bud it is protected from insecticides.
If there are only a few they can be removed by hand.
Fortunately there is an effective biological control, however it needs to be used every 7-10 days over a several weeks to catch the larvae before they start tunnelling. This control is called Dipel it is a pathogenic biological control, the bacteria cause paralysis of the larvae's digestive track and stops it eating and dies. This will not cause any damage to any other insects or animals.
Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Cabbage Aphids (Pests)
Description: These very destructive aphids are greyish green with a whitish-grey covering of wax which repels water. They multiply quickly in the crevices close to the stem making the leaves turn turn yellow. Severe infestations can limit growth and even kill younger plants.
Affects: All cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli. They will be most prevalent after a warm winter.
Solution: If a small infestation then blast them out with a fine jet of water or squash between fingertips. Undersow with clover which will deter them getting a foothold.
If thats too late then spray with Confidor. Two sprays a week apart are required and ensure you get into every little crevice.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Confidor is know to be harmful to bees and should only be used on plants that are not in flower or next to plants that are in flower. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Cabbage Moth (Pests)
Description: This moth (plutella xylostella) has brown mottled wings, the larvae of this moth are green and about 12mm in length and can damage a wide variety of crops. The larvae (caterpillars) tunnel into the leaves and chew holes leaving a fine clear layer of leaf (window pane effect) The larvae move towards the youngest and softest leaves as the plant grows.
Affects: Cabbage, onions, beets, marigolds cucumbers carnations, lettuce, tomato, radish, rhubarb, potato and spinach.
Solution: Organic /non Chemical controls work well against this insect. Dipel is a biological insecticide that damages the gut cells of the larvae to stops them feeding; this is sprayed over crops. Derris dust is a natural insecticide and can be dusted over infected plants. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
Chemical options would be to use a Tau-fluvalinate based insecticide like Mavrik.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Cabbage White Butterfly (Pests)
Description: The cabbage white butterfly (pieris rapae) has creamy white wings approximately 32–47 mm in width and distinctive a black spot. It lays eggs that emerge as caterpillars that are yellowish green and approx 30mm in length. The larvae tend to feed on the outer leaves of the plants at night. Visible signs will be holes in the leaves and dropping at the base of the leaves of older plants; in younger plants they are eat all the new growth and destroy them.
Affects: Cabbages,cauliflowers, broccoli, kale, radish and mustard crops. Also can be found of nasturtians, stocks and wallflowers.
Solution: Use Organic/ non-chemical alternatives to control these insects.
DiPel should be sprayed on plants at first signs of caterpillars feeding. Dipel is a biological insecticide that damages the gut cells of the larvae to stops them feeding. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
Chemical options would be to use a Tau-fluvalinate based insecticide like Mavrik.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Camellia Leaf Gall (Disease)
Description: This is a fungal infection. The leaves become pale, swollen and enlarged, eventually the lower epidermis splits releasing spores into atmosphere. (see GardensOnline Blog for more photos)
Affects: The affects the new leaves of Camellia (and sometimes Gardenia) during the spring. It will not affect older leaves so does not affect the whole plant
Solution: There is no chemical solution. It is important to cut off and destroy the infected leaves before the epidermis splits and releases the spores.
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Caterpillars (Pests)
Description: In general they are bright green and feed on the underside of leaves by anchoring their butt and then waving around in a circle to munch. They can grow to 4cms in length.
Affects: Affects all brassicas like Cabbage, Pak Choi, Cauliflower, etc + tomato, beans, peas, mint, dahlia, geranium and many more.
Solution: If only a few they can be removed by hand. Alternatively, use organic / non chemical options, DiPel or Derris Dust. Dipel is a biological insecticide that damages the gut cells of the larvae to stops them feeding. Derris Dust - Controls most chewing and sucking insect pests, including caterpillars, on vegetables and flowers. It is particularly effective against white butterfly.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Catsear or Flatweed (Weeds)
Description: Catsear is a broad-leafed weed, it is sometimes know as the false dandelion. Found often in lawns and beds. It has tooth-like lobed dark green leaves that are covered in fine hairs. The leaves form a prostrate rosette around central taproot. The root has contractile roots which pull the plant back into the soil and make it hard to remove. The flower stems are forked with several yellow flowers, the fruit head consists of a fluffy ball of many seeds each with its own parashute.
Affects:
Solution: Keep lawn healthy and well fed during the warmer months.
Remove by hand, just use a long gardeners knife to dig around the root and pull it out.
Use a broadleafed herbicide on lawn.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Chickweed (Weeds)
Description: This is a broad-leafed scrambling annual. The leaves are quite small, bright green and ovate in shape, the flowers are small and white.
It tends to grow well in areas with regular moisture in full sun to part shade, often seen in nursery pots, flower beds and some cultivated crop areas.
Affects: It is the host of the Western Flower Thrip which can carry the Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus.
Solution: Removal by hand where possible. Can be controlled in lawns by mowing.
Selective Broad-leafed Herbicide can be used if lawns heavily infested.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Christmas Beetle (Pests)
Description: The larvae has a white curled shaped body ( often referred to as the white curl grub). The larvae live in the soil and feed on roots particularly grasses and pot plants. The adult beetle has a brown metallic sheen about 25mm in length. They are active between November and January, they leave a sawtooth pattern on the leaves. Not normally a problem unless the ratio of grass land to eucalyptus trees in very high; in those situations they have been known to destroy all the leaves.
Affects: Adults - Eucalytptus Larvae - roots
Solution: Remove by hand and leave for the birds to enjoy. Throw a damp hessian cloth over the lawn at night, in the morning the grubs congregating under the cloth can be removed.
When digging your veggie patch or transferring compost it is worth removing the grubs whenever you see them. You can pour soapy water over the lawn to bring them to the surface. Adults tend to have moved on by the time the devastion is noticed and spraying is them too late.
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Citrus Gall Wasp (Pests)
Description: Evidence of these pest can be seen as galls ( swellings) on the newer stems, they become obvious in early summer.
The galls are the plants response to the small gall wasp larvae feeding and then pupating within the stems.
In Sept and October the adult wasps emerge through holes in the gall and lay their eggs into soft young twigs. The cycle begins again.
In some areas Citrus Gall Wasp is a Proclaimed Pest and must be controlled or growers face heavy fines.
Affects: All varieties of cultivated citrus
Solution: The only form of control is to remove and destroy the infected branches and twigs before the 31st August.
This date is chosen to ensure that the branches are removed before any of the wasps are able to hatch. The galls need to be burnt or placed in a black plastic bag in the sun for several days to ensure the wasps have killed. Do not put them in your compost or dispose of until you have killed the adults.
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Citrus Leaf Miner (Pests)
Description: Citrus Leaf Miner as the name indicates is a pest that affects Citrus Trees. The young leaves become become distorted and the older leaves show tell tale sliver trails across the under and or upper surface.
The trails are caused by a small larvae that hatch within the leaf and form tunnels by chewing through the inside of leaf. They then pupate under the curled edges of the leaf. The adult female emerges, mates and lays her eggs in the soft new leaves and so the cycle continues several times during the warmer summer months
Affects: Citrus
Solution: The best solution is to stop the adult moth laying eggs into the new leaves. Spraying the new growth with Pest Oil will prevent the adult landing on the leaf and laying her eggs.
It is only necessary to spray the new leaves as the adult cannot make a hole in the tough older leaves. You will need to spray the new growth regularly during the main growing season.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Clover (Weeds)
Description: Common, fast spreading, broadleaved weed with distinctive three leaflets and globular creamy pom-pom flowers. Clover is a member of the Fabaceae family which means it root can fix nitrogen, it does well in poorly fertilized gardens. It is grown by some vegetable growers between crops to improved the nitrogen levels of the soil between plantings.
One method of preventing clovers from taking hold is to make sure your lawn is growing strongly and is well fertilised during the warmer, growing months.
Affects:
Solution: Keep lawn healthy and well fed during the warmer months.
Remove by hand.
Use a broadleafed herbicide on lawn.<
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Author: Bob Saunders.