Recently in Garden Pests Category
September 22, 2011
Helping me get my cats under control!
I've been sort of quiet lately as my real job in the event business approaches its seasonal peak and becomes more demanding. I've also encountered a shortage of photogenic blooms thanks to an out of control caterpillar population. Fortunately I have some unsolicited help in my war against cats. This tiny spider is making a meal out of a caterpillar twice it's size.
Right now I'm battling a type of inch worm that prefers blooms over foliage. The leaf eaters are just starting to emerge so now I have no choice but to turn to chemical warfare. Next week all my Angel Trumpet plants with get a nice bath of Orthene mixed with a dash of preventative miticide.
Right now I'm battling a type of inch worm that prefers blooms over foliage. The leaf eaters are just starting to emerge so now I have no choice but to turn to chemical warfare. Next week all my Angel Trumpet plants with get a nice bath of Orthene mixed with a dash of preventative miticide.September 7, 2011
No Love for these bugs
It's that time of year when the lovebugs make their semi-annual appearance here in Florida. Every May and September you can count on these sex-crazed critters to annoy the heck out of you, especially if you do allot of driving. Lovebugs are harmless and are more of a nuisance than anything else. They do not sting or bite and fortunately for us, do not harm our plants. They like to feast on sweet nectar so that is why you see a pair hanging around on this beautiful Angel Trumpet bloom on Brugmansia Sweet Summertime.
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Lovebugs are more of nuisance to motorists as swarms of these interlocked couples tend to hang-out
along the highways and cause havoc to drivers. Squashed lovebugs can
damage vehicle paint if they are not removed within 48 hours, and can
also clog radiator grills. They are more frequently remembered for being plastered on windshields, leaving a gooey mess that
requires you to pull over and scrub the mess off if you wish to see out your windshield.
Luckily, the swarms here in Central Florida are not nearly as bad as they were a decade ago, and everyone is loving that!.
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Lovebugs are more of nuisance to motorists as swarms of these interlocked couples tend to hang-out
along the highways and cause havoc to drivers. Squashed lovebugs can
damage vehicle paint if they are not removed within 48 hours, and can
also clog radiator grills. They are more frequently remembered for being plastered on windshields, leaving a gooey mess that
requires you to pull over and scrub the mess off if you wish to see out your windshield.Luckily, the swarms here in Central Florida are not nearly as bad as they were a decade ago, and everyone is loving that!.August 10, 2011
They're back!!!!!
When I was checking over my neglected front yard this weekend, I found it odd that my crinum lilies had no grasshopper damage this year. They seem to be one of the favorite foods of the giant Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, or lubbers as they are commonly called. Well Monday I got my Lubber fix when I spotted one resting on an Angel Trumpet leaf.
Despite their giant size as an adult, they actually eat less than grasshoppers a fraction of their size. They are monsters too, typically reaching 3 inches in length. While the adults may not be big eaters, the babies sure make up for that and will strip a plant bare overnight.
I do not think the adults have any natural predators. Nothing wants to mess with them partly because they have natural toxins in their system that act as a poison to predators. Even my one dog that chases anything that moves, looks the other way when one of these creatures stumble into his territory. The best way to take care of them when they are large is with a club or baseball bat. :)
The lubbers do not seem to be nearly as populous as they were when I was growing up here in Clermont. I'm sure it has to do with all the citrus groves being replaced by homes. I remember back in my triathlon training days, on the backside of Lake Minneola, by the marshland, the lubbers would be so thick on the road that you had trouble biking and running through them. After a couple of days the road would almost be black with squashed lubbers.
They sure are a beautiful creature though, especially when i see them in other peoples yards and not mine!
Despite their giant size as an adult, they actually eat less than grasshoppers a fraction of their size. They are monsters too, typically reaching 3 inches in length. While the adults may not be big eaters, the babies sure make up for that and will strip a plant bare overnight.I do not think the adults have any natural predators. Nothing wants to mess with them partly because they have natural toxins in their system that act as a poison to predators. Even my one dog that chases anything that moves, looks the other way when one of these creatures stumble into his territory. The best way to take care of them when they are large is with a club or baseball bat. :)The lubbers do not seem to be nearly as populous as they were when I was growing up here in Clermont. I'm sure it has to do with all the citrus groves being replaced by homes. I remember back in my triathlon training days, on the backside of Lake Minneola, by the marshland, the lubbers would be so thick on the road that you had trouble biking and running through them. After a couple of days the road would almost be black with squashed lubbers.They sure are a beautiful creature though, especially when i see them in other peoples yards and not mine!August 9, 2011
Mayflies invade my Brugmansia
The Mayflies were just out in force. This time they started taking a liking to my Brugmansia Jungle. I captured this solo mayfly resting on one of my Angel Trumpet blooms.
Anyone who lives near a body of fresh water is certainly familiar with mayflies. They appear by the millions several times each year. They are attracted to light at night and only live a couple of days. The road in front of my house was covered solid with mayflies below each street light. Thank goodness they do not eat plants or else my brugs would be devastated right now.
Anyone who lives near a body of fresh water is certainly familiar with mayflies. They appear by the millions several times each year. They are attracted to light at night and only live a couple of days. The road in front of my house was covered solid with mayflies below each street light. Thank goodness they do not eat plants or else my brugs would be devastated right now.July 21, 2011
A busy bee attempts some summer hybridizing
Now that our summer heat has settled in I have completely given up on attempting to make any new Brugmansia crosses until fall. Meanwhile this busy bee has arrived for a quick drink and perhaps an inadvertent attempt to pollinate this bloom.
I'm sure the nectar from this bloom is quite refreshing on this hot summer day.
It's cool the way its little legs are laden with pollen. I have lots of great blooms open now so if the bee does manage to create a successful cross, the outcome could be special.
This bee looks mighty comfy perched on a group of anthers. I missed the shot of the bee visiting the stigma prior to entering the corolla tube.
I'm sure the nectar from this bloom is quite refreshing on this hot summer day. It's cool the way its little legs are laden with pollen. I have lots of great blooms open now so if the bee does manage to create a successful cross, the outcome could be special.This bee looks mighty comfy perched on a group of anthers. I missed the shot of the bee visiting the stigma prior to entering the corolla tube.With all the bees I had buzzing around the blooms this spring, I'm surprised at how few rogue seed pods I have harvested so far this season.
June 30, 2011
A polka-dotted Angel Tumpet?
Actually it's a polka dotted bug on an angel trumpet bloom. I'm not sure what the official name of this bug is but it contrasts well on this pink bloom.
June 24, 2011
An Angel Trumpet version of Beauty & the Beast
When I'm out snapping photos of my new blooms, often I do not see creatures that may be on or near them until I review the photos later. While checking out some recent photos I shot of this Brugmansia Rubirosa x Sam seedling I spotted this tiny spider making his rounds.
A spider sure beats seeing the pairs of eyes glowing in the background I often see on some of my nighttime photos.
A spider sure beats seeing the pairs of eyes glowing in the background I often see on some of my nighttime photos.June 23, 2011
Angel Trumpet caught in a worm hole...
This angel trumpet bloom put a new meaning into the term worm hole. When I hear of a worm hole I think of outer space and Star Trek. I recently noticed I have lots of another type of worm hole throughout my brugmansia jungle. Here's a photo of bloom that had a recent encounter with one.
Caterpillars are my number one pest during the summer and it looks like I'm going to have to use some chemical warfare to get them under control. :(
Caterpillars are my number one pest during the summer and it looks like I'm going to have to use some chemical warfare to get them under control. :(June 17, 2011
This moth is up to no good
While making my rounds the other night I caught this moth in the process of laying eggs on an Angel Trumpet bloom.
Sorry Mr. Moth, that earned you the kiss of death. The fact that you are laying them on a very special double yellow seedling I have in my watch zone means you have no chance for forgiveness.
Caterpillars are my number one pest problem during the summer and almost all of the ones I find munching on my plants come from moths.
Sorry Mr. Moth, that earned you the kiss of death. The fact that you are laying them on a very special double yellow seedling I have in my watch zone means you have no chance for forgiveness. Caterpillars are my number one pest problem during the summer and almost all of the ones I find munching on my plants come from moths.
April 6, 2011
The evil within...
I had been waiting days for this one special Angel Trumpet bud to mature enough so that I could slice it open for pollination. Once sliced open I realized the wait had been futile, the flower innards had been destroyed.
Lately I have been finding a bunch of these nasty creatures munching away inside my Brugmansia buds. They are known as the Winter Moth Inchworm. They make a small hole to enter the bloom and then start eating. Unless you happen to spot the small entrance hole, the infested bud appears normal. They start by eating the stamens and stigma, and then chow down on the entire flower. Within a day or two the infested bud/flowers have the Swiss cheese look.
I guess it's time to bring out the Orthene and get these guys under control. :(
Lately I have been finding a bunch of these nasty creatures munching away inside my Brugmansia buds. They are known as the Winter Moth Inchworm. They make a small hole to enter the bloom and then start eating. Unless you happen to spot the small entrance hole, the infested bud appears normal. They start by eating the stamens and stigma, and then chow down on the entire flower. Within a day or two the infested bud/flowers have the Swiss cheese look.I guess it's time to bring out the Orthene and get these guys under control. :(
