A Tasty Treat For The Ladies
Who are these garden eating Homoptera’s? They’re Aphids!
They’re among the most destructive insect pests on cultivated plants both in greenhouse, gardens and interiorscapes. The damage they do to plants has made them enemies of growers, farmers and gardeners the world over. They also are so damaging due to their abilities to reproduce asexually. They’re small (about 1/8 inch long), pear-shaped, soft-bodied insects that show in many colors, including black, green, red, pink, yellow, brown, or gray and they suck plant sap from the leaves and stems of your plants through a fine, needle-like stylet.
Who are these garden eating Homoptera’s? They’re Aphids!
If you discover aphids or see aphid damage on your plants, one of the best solutions to rid yourself of these pests are the gardener’s best friend … The Ladybug.
They’re often used to control soft bodied insect pest like aphids, scales and mites in your garden. It is both the ladybugs adult and larva that feed on your pests. It has been estimated that one ladybug can feed on 50 aphids a day. Now that is a lady any gardener would like to have around.
Ladybug Eating an Aphid. Farmers Love Ladybugs Because They Save Gardens By Eating Pest Insects.
In the late spring and summer, we have outdoor ladybugs that are release outside to feed on your aphids. Indoor ladybugs tend to fly so they need to be confined in the greenhouse, while outdoor ladybugs tend to stay where they’re released.
Ladybugs are an excellent beneficial insect. Native ladybugs do not bite nor do they go into your home. The only eat aphids and other soft bodied pest insects and insect eggs. Adults are orange and black beetles that feed on aphids, mites, scales, thrips, whiteflies and beneficial insect food. Adult ladies feed primary at night and lay eggs. Eggs are white or yellow ovals and are laid in clusters on the undersides of your leaves. It is the larvae, having no wings that remain on your plants keeping control of pests. Larvae are black and orange alligator shaped. Both the adult and larvae stage are great general pest controllers. Look not for the ladies but to see your pest problems disappear.
