PESTS and POLLINATORS and How to Control and Attract Them
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Fascinating GARDEN PESTS AND POLLINATORS And how to control and attract them. Copyright 2015 Cindy Rajhel All Rights Reserved Copyright Notice Copyright Notice © 2015 Cindy Rajhel All Rights Reserved. This publication is protected under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. All rights are reserved, including resale rights. You are not allowed to sell this eBook to anyone else. Like a traditional print book, you are free to lend or give it to your friends and especially to teachers, parents, students and garden coordinators. This means you can provide the same file to another person, once. Copying the book is not permitted without permission. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any format, electronic, mechanical, audio or video without written permission from the author. To request permission to distribute to a group or to use multiple copies in a classroom setting, send an email to [email protected] 1 Disclaimer Disclaimer Although the author has made every effort to ensure the information is true and correct, it does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of such information. Garden conditions are always changing and the state of the soil, plants, temperature and environmental conditions all play a role in pest management and beneficial insect habitats. The author of the document and its sponsoring website, Home Grown Fun, do not accept any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly in connection with the use of the information contained in document or any resource linked to from the document. In addition, No data transmitted over the Internet can be guaranteed as totally secure. While we strive to protect such information, we do not warrant and cannot ensure the security of any information transmitted while purchasing the document or using linked websites. 2 CONTENTS . Copyright Notice ........................................................................................................................ 1 Disclaimer .................................................................................................................................. 2 Introduction............................................................................................................................... 4 Aphids ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Armyworms ............................................................................................................................. 12 Assassin Bugs ........................................................................................................................... 14 Bees ......................................................................................................................................... 16 Butterflies and Moths .............................................................................................................. 18 Cabbage Loopers ..................................................................................................................... 25 Cabbageworms ........................................................................................................................ 26 Damsel Bugs ............................................................................................................................ 27 Damselflies .............................................................................................................................. 29 Deer......................................................................................................................................... 30 Diamondback Moth ................................................................................................................. 33 GAME – Friend or Foe .............................................................................................................. 35 Grasshoppers ........................................................................................................................... 36 Lacewings ................................................................................................................................ 40 Lady Beetles ............................................................................................................................ 42 Leaf-Footed Bug....................................................................................................................... 44 Pea Maggots ............................................................................................................................ 47 Praying Mantids ....................................................................................................................... 48 Snails ....................................................................................................................................... 49 Squash Vine Borers .................................................................................................................. 52 Stink Bugs & Squash Bugs ........................................................................................................ 53 Squirrels .................................................................................................................................. 55 Tent Caterpillars ...................................................................................................................... 56 Tomato Hornworms ................................................................................................................. 57 Torpedo Bugs........................................................................................................................... 65 Wasps ...................................................................................................................................... 66 Whiteflies ................................................................................................................................ 68 Worms ..................................................................................................................................... 70 3 Introduction ot a day goes by that I don’t see something new in the garden. Have you ever taken a photograph of a branch, leaf or flower and blown it up on the computer to discover a creature that would have otherwise gone unnoticed? My most exciting “blow up” may be a tomato hornworm’s molted skin. I would have never seen its discarded costume without increasing the resolution of the photo. It’s a curious image. Is that a tiny hornworm looking down at big brother or is it a mask? Don’t get me wrong. I dread garden pests. But as I stand remarkably still, with shears in hand, waiting to perform an “Edward Scissorhands” on an unsuspecting squash bug, I also appreciate how both pests and “beneficials” survive and that gives me the knowledge and skill to keep them at bay without much hassle - and without harsh chemicals or even homemade pepper sprays! Access to these “secrets of success” come at a price. You’re forced to put up with my weird humor and corny jokes! Don’t say I didn’t warn you! 4 5 Aphids At Ease Soldier owever annoying, aphids are a fairly easy pest to control. Are you surprised? Can you believe all you need in most cases to control the enemy is a strong shot of plain water? Identify aphids. Aphids can be brown, yellow, green, red or black. Some have wings, some don’t. They move slow, feed in groups and are shaped like pears. Wax-releasing “exhaust pipes” called cornicles stick out from their behinds and this feature distinguishes aphids from other pests in the garden. Once you spot those rear-end features, you shouldn’t find it difficult to distinguish aphids from other pests. Look closely and there may be a friendly insect among the patch of aphids. Read on to find out more… How do aphids find the garden? Balmy conditions tempt winged aphids hiding in the trees to land in the garden. Most plants are susceptible to aphids. Gain the advantage! Aphid paratroopers arrive at the objective and Start looking for the immediately give birth - to live baby aphids! first wave of aphids There are no eggs to hatch or larvae to develop. early in the season Aphids produce alert, eager and hungry offspring when new growth ready to bear another generation almost emerges. immediately. Babies Having Babies! 6 You’ll also inherit aphids from plants brought to the garden from greenhouses, nurseries and home improvement centers. It may be impossible to prevent aphids. But they are a pest that can be easily controlled. How much damage can aphids cause? Mature plants won’t die from an infestation. Young plants and seedlings can be stunted and killed from the stress. In the vegetable garden, aphids cause yellow, curling leaves and the honeydew they release attracts ants. With their piercing mouthparts they inject toxins and can transmit toxins. Certain crops like squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, melons, beans, potatoes, lettuce, beets, chard and bok choy are hosts for aphid viruses. This is important to consider since the seed of a plant infected with the virus would not be good to keep or share with others. It might be best to destroy the plant. Avoid saving seed from plants that have been heavily infested with aphids. What is the best method to control aphids? Total prevention is probably impossible. You can significantly reduce the numbers by inspecting plants carefully