Insect IdentificationRITCHIE FEED AND SEED INC.

(613)741-4430

Aphids

Aphids are green, brown, red or black soft-bodied insects that suck plant juices causing stunting and deformation of leaves and blooms. They are found on the underside of leaves, usually on the newer, more succulent growth. They deposit sticky honeydew on the leaves, which can lead to sooty mold. They reproduce quickly and may also spread plant viruses.

Control: Rinse off the aphids if possible and spray with insecticidal soap or End-All.

Fungus Gnats

Fungus Gnats: These are small black flying insects, often confused with fruit flies. The adult stage is annoying but usually doesn’t cause any damage to the plants. It is the larvae stage that may cause problems because they feed on roots in the soil. Adults are attracted to moist organic matter.

Control: Allow the surface of the soil to dry before watering.When you water, water thoroughly and remove any excess water from saucers. Keep saucers clean, and remove any leaf debris from the surface of the soil. Diatomaceous earth may be dusted on the surface of the soil after watering, and sticky traps inserted into the soil will help to control fungus gnat populations.

Mealybug

Mealybug:

Mealybugs are white, oval and usually covered in a white substance that looks like cotton fluff. They are found individually or in clusters on stems, leaves and where the leaf joins the stem. They suck plant juices and weaken the plants over time. They crawl slowly and leave sticky honeydew behind.

Control:

Use an alcohol soaked cotton swab to remove as many as the insects as possible, then spray with insecticidal soap or End-All.

Scale

These are sap sucking insects which will weaken a plant over time. They appear as hard round “bumps” on the underside of leaves and along the stems. They can also emit sticky honeydew, which can be followed by sooty mold.

Control:

These can be difficult to treat at the adult stage because they are covered by a hard waxy covering that is impermeable to sprays. If caught early, a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol (50/50 alcohol/water) can be used to wipe them off. Horticultural oil may also be used to spray the plants

Spider-Mites

Spider mites are tiny sap sucking insects found on the underside of leaves. Warm temperatures and low humidity will cause them to spread more rapidly. They usually go unnoticed until fine webbing is evident.

Control: Increase humidity by misting or placing a pebble tray under the pot. Rinse plants with water to remove webbing, then spray with insecticidal soap or End-All.

Japanese Beetle

Japanese Beetles are found throughout North AmericaThought to have been imported accidentally on a shipment ofIris bulbs in 1912 to a nursery in Riverton, NewJersey

Adults can be a pest on over 200 species of plants and areActive 4-6 weeks usually starting early July to mid July.

Larval stage is referred to as a white grub, it is a root feeding Insect that can destroy the root structure of an established lawn

Treatments(Adult) Treatments(Grub)

Hand PickingTraps

Nematodes

Tent Caterpillar

Tent caterpillars can skeletonize leaves and infestationsAre often noticed by the large silk tents that the createAs a protection from predators. Tent caterpillars turn intoA lackey moth which also feeds on tree and use the Tents as a nest. To control you need to break open the Tents and apply an insecticide or spray when the tents are small

Controls:

Safer’s BTK(Bacillus Thuringensis Kurstaki)Insecticidal Soap

Colorado Potato Beetle

As the name implies they attack the foliage of potato plantsCan also be found on tomato’s eggplants and can alsoBe found on ornamentals in the nightshade family.

Controls:

Diatomaceous EarthInsecticidal SoapSafer’s BTK (for larval stages)Hand Picking

Asian Red Lily Beetle

Asian red lily beetles can defoliate a lily including the stem.

As well as species of frittillariaThey are active from the early

spring until the first frost of the Fall.

Controls:

Diatomaceous Earth

Insecticidal Soap

Hand Picking the adults and the eggs