Roots and Shoots Gardening Club
Garden Club News
Diary of Club meetings and events
Julie's Garden Gems
Gardening - A little bit about......
Use Water Wisely
Insects Friends and Foes
Wild Side
Garden Problems
Club Members Articles
Garden Perennials & Companian Plants
Pond Life
Gardening Tips
Folklore of Plants
Pelargoniums
Fruit and Vegetables
Our Summer Garden Show
Fuchsia Pictures
Outings
Links for Whittingham Gardening Club
Guestbook
Event Calendar
Mail Form
|
The Good the Bad and The Ugly
 Insects, bugs and creepy crawlies. Our Gardens teem with them. Some good, some bad and some just ugly. I will try to put a few pages together of some of the more common and perhaps some less common ones you are likely to encounter. |
Wasps
 The last couple of years has been a bad time for wasps. You might have noticed there have not been as many around as normal. This is because of the wet, chilly springs we have experienced lately, and it has not given them enough time to recover during the summer. I suppose for most people they probably think this is a good thing, but before you cheer too loudly let me put the point of the good aspects of these much maligned insects. Wasps are very social, living together in nests that can number up to 25,000 individuals. As only the queens survive the winter, they are the ones who have to get the colony off to a good start. Each group only lasts just one season. Only a few of its inhabitants are male and are there purely for breeding. The rest are all female and are the workers,who’s task is to collect a constant supply of food for the growing grubs. This is where they cease to be a pest and become one of the gardeners friends, as most of the food they collect are garden pests that can devastate our plants. As there are a great many mouths to feed it has been estimated that a single nest may dispose of as many as 250,000 of these pests each year. Which is why we should be happy at least for a part of the year to have wasps around. It is only in late summer when the worker wasps become unemployed do they start to cause trouble for us humans,because it is when the old queen has stopped laying and the new queens have flown off to over-winter there is little left for them to do but wait around to die. So I for one am hoping that a few queens managed to survive the winter in my area and can give me a hand getting rid of a few of those nasties that plague my garden. |
Aphids
 Popularly called plant lice or greenflys. Aphids are found world-wide as parasites on the roots, leaves,and stems of plants, to which they frequently do great damage. The mouthparts of aphids are adapted for piercing and sucking plants and consist of four long, sharp stylets within a proboscis (sheath). Two projecting cornicles, or horn-shaped tubes, at the posterior end of the body emit a waxy secretion. The legs are long and slender but are not adapted for rapid movement; aphids rarely wander far from their birthplace, except during the spring and autumn migratory flights of the females. In autumn the females lay fertilised eggs that survive the winter in crevices and hatch in the spring, producing wingless females that reproduce parthenogenetically (without fertilisation from males). The time of development is so short that the eggs sometimes hatch before they are laid. After several generations, winged females are produced; they then migrate to other plants and continue asexual reproduction of wingless females. Toward the end of summer, winged males are produced, which fertilise the winter eggs. The presence of aphids is readily detected by marks, wrinkles, or abnormalities on the infested plant. Aphids emit from their rear a sweet glutinous substance called honeydew, which is eagerly sought by ants and other insects; ants may hide aphids and protect them from predators . Aphids that feed on such plants as turnip, cabbage, potato, bean, apple, pear, and larch have been the cause of widespread damage, often as a result of transmitting plant viruses. Birds, spiders, parasitic wasps, hover-fly larvae, and ladybirds destroy great numbers of aphids |
Earwig
 Despite its name and threatening appearance, the common earwig is a harmless and interesting creature. Earwigs are small, slender, and dark coloured. They have pairs of horny, forcepslike abdominal appendages, which are larger in males than in females. They have a pair of fan-like hindwings that are normally folded away behind the thorax and hidden under their short leathery forewings. Earwigs can be found in damp crevices in houses, gardens and woodland. They feed on decaying plant and animal matter and other insects. Earwigs rest during the day inside damp crevices such as under bark or in hollow plant stems. They are scavengers and emerge at night. The female lays eggs under stones and in crevices and will stay with her eggs guarding them. From time to time she will gently clean the eggs with her mouthparts to prevent fungal infection. She will continue guarding her young, which look like miniature versions of their parents, until they have grown large enough to fend for themselves. Earwigs were so named because of the erroneous belief that they sometimes creep into human ears. They are completely harmless to humans but are known to transmit virus diseases that affect plants. |
Mealy Bugs
 Mealy Bugs. THEY look like tiny off-white woodlice, but mealy bugs really are something rather nasty. You very rarely find them alone and if one appears, you can be sure that lurking round another leaf, stem, crack or crevice in one of your plants there will be several of its friends. Each can be up to 4mm long and they feed on your plant's sap, causing weakening and sometimes even death in the process. They will attack a wide range of plants growing in greenhouses, conservatories and on windowsills and tend to be in quite inaccessible places. They also cover themselves in a fluffy white wax which they secrete, and it is very difficult to control them. Another nasty side effect is that they produce a tot of sticky excreta or honeydew. This may then spoil the plant or start to become quite a problem on surfaces near your houseplants or even on the conservatory flooring. It is possible to control these pests using an Australian ladybird predator known as Cryptolaemus, but this is only likely to be effective during the height of the summer or if you use high temperatures later in the year. So, in most cases, you will end up having to spray infested plants with a suitable insecticide, such as one based on insecticidal soap or Malathion. |
Glasshouse leafhoppers
 Glasshouse leafhoppers are, as their name suggests, particularly fond of a wide range of plants grown in greenhouses, conservatories, windowsills or other very sheltered environments; but during the summer months they are also highly likely to attack plants growing out in the open. It is amazing the damage that can be caused by glasshouse leafhopper on the foliage of foxgloves and polyanthus, in particular; sometimes the leaves may be reduced to a bleached, almost completely creamy white colour because the feeding has been so intense. You will also Find that anything whether a rose or other susceptible plant - is much more likely to be heavily attacked if it's growing in a particularly warm, sunny, sheltered position as the leafhoppers are more inclined to feed extensively, and do a lot of damage as a result, if the foliage is not being buffeted about by a breeze. Unfortunately, because of the protected environment provided by a greenhouse, the glasshouse leafhopper can breed and produce offspring all year round, especially if the greenhouse is heated. Indeed, in particularly sheltered gardens in warmer parts of the country, the pest may even continue to live outdoors throughout the year, although it doesn't do quite so much damage. Leafhoppers are a classic example of a particularly small and insignificant-looking pest which can cause a dramatic effect on the foliage of your plants. But it's only in very extreme conditions of heavy infestation that a plant is really likely to suffer in the long term. Treatment is not always necessary, but, if required, spray the plant with a suitable insecticide - one used for whitefly is normally effective - when you see the first signs of damage and every I4 days thereafter until the problem has cleared. |
Ants
 Lasius niger (black ants) and myrmica (red ants) are one of the most widespread insects in the garden, and the harder you try to get rid of them the more difficult it can be. There is no doubt about it, ants can be extremely unpleasant and if you enjoy eating in your garden, or have children who like to play outside, I can understand why you may want to take action to rid yourself of them. In addition, the mounds of fine soil that they produce on a lawn or in a flower bed certainly does encourage weeds, and makes mowing more trouble and may even result in smaller plants being buried alive. One of the problems with dealing with ants is that you need to start by facing the fact that there are no easy solutions to ants in your garden. However successful you think you are, you are not going to succeed in actually eradicating them from your garden. Indeed the social structure of ants. is such that, if you take a lot of control measures you may end up with more nests. The majority of queen ants that fly into your garden will usually be killed by resident ants from existing nests, so preventing them from forming new colonies. If you do too good a job of controlling the resident ants they will not be able to put this control on the new queens, and result in new nests being set up. It's depressing news isn’t it, so it really is best to concentrate your efforts on attempting to control those nests which are in the most irritating and inconvenient places. The terrace, patio or a favourite patch of sun-bathing lawn, for instance. This should mean that you can eat your lunch in peace whilst also ensuring enough remain to defend their territory from new queens. Try to treat nests with a suitable insecticide. These are available in liquid form, as well as the powders in a puffer pack. Treat the 'runs' where processions of ants move backwards and forwards, as well as the entrances holes to their nests. If you don't want to use chemicals in your garden then kettles full of boiling water poured directly into the nest may do the trick, but not near to plants or you will kill them as well. Whether using chemical or non-chemical means to attempt to kill the ants, unless you are using baits it helps if you disturb the nest first and then apply the treatment immediately. Concentrate on cleaning up those nests that are the most troublesome. |
Azure damselfly
 Damselflies are smaller than dragonflies and hold their wings together behind the abdomen rather than out sideways. The azure damselfly has a body length of 30mm. Males are bright blue and black with dark blue eyes. Females have similar markings to males except their colour varies between blue, yellow, green and white, and the black markings are often more extensive. When at rest, their wings are folded up behind the abdomen. The aquatic larvae are small and green with three feather-like gills protruding from the rear of their abdomen. They are widespread in Britain and central Europe. Azure damselflies inhabit well vegetated ponds, lakes and slow-moving rivers. Adults feed on small flying insects. Larvae feed on small aquatic crustaceans and insects. Damselflies are weak fliers compared to dragonflies. They rest and wait for an insect to approach and then fly rapidly to catch them in the air. They have large eyes which allow them to accurately pin-point the position of their prey, which is caught with the damselflies legs and eaten at rest. They usually stay close to the vegetation around the pond or lake and can be seen flying from May to September. The larvae have extendible jaws on hinged arms (called a mask) that can be extended rapidly to catch prey. Male azure damselflies cling onto the females during egg-laying. The eggs are laid In pairs on aquatic plant stems and the females will often submerge completely to do so. Larvae will live for one year underwater before emerging from the water to become winged adults. Azure damselflies are not listed as endangered. There are several very similar species, which can only be distinguished by examination of differences in black markings and the shape of the plate at the top of the thorax. |
Hummingbird hawk-moth
 The moth is named after its resemblance to a hummingbird, with its rapid hovering motion as it feeds on the nectar of flowers. The larvae/caterpillars grow to about 60mm in length. They are very colourful with a green or reddish-brown body with white dots and dark, white and yellow stripes, black spiracles and a blue, yellow-tipped horn. The sexes are similar in appearance. The moth itself is often mistaken for a hummingbird as it hovers above the flowers. The moths have a brown, white-spotted abdomen, brown forewings and orange hindwings. They have a wingspan of 40-50 mm. The wings beat so fast that they produce an audible hum. Hummingbird hawk-moths are abundant in Mediterranean countries, Central Asia and Japan. In the British Isles they can be spotted every year in the summer from June to September and have been recorded as far north as the Orkney and Shetland Islands. They inhabit lowland areas. The larvae feed on bedstraw (Galium). The adult moths feed on the nectar of flowers such as orchids and petunias. They feed by hovering in front of a flower, probing it repeatedly using the proboscis. Hummingbird hawk-moths are day fliers, preferring bright sunlight, but may also be seen at dawn and dusk, but rarely at night. They are strongly attracted to flowers with a plentiful supply of nectar such as petunias, honeysuckle and buddleia. Studies have noted they have a remarkable memory, and return to the same flower beds at the same time everyday. They cannot survive the winter months and so migrate to southern parts of Europe. They breed regularly in the UK. Moths locate their mates by scent, with sight playing a small part. Hummingbird hawk-moths have been seen to demonstrate aerial courtship chases, with the male and female engaging in rapid pursuits low over the ground, or spiral upwards together. They are an immigrant species, which sometimes occur In large numbers. A large influx occurred in summer 2000, when moths were observed in parks and gardens all over Britain. |
Giant Ichneumon wasp
 The giant Ichneumon wasp (Rhyssa persuasoria) is a parasitic species which is the largest ichneumon fly in Britain, and one of the largest in Europe. The scientific name means 'persuasive burglar'. Length approximately 18-40mm, plus 40mm ovipositor. Giant ichneumons have slender bodies, with a wasp waist, and long, flexible antennae. The apparently fearsome-looking sting at the end of the female wasp's abdomen is actually an ovipositor (egg-laying instrument). This is protected within a sheath. This species has a black body with pale yellow/white markings on the abdominal segments. The legs are orange. Giant ichneumon wasps are found in Europe, north Africa, North America and Asia. They inhabit clearings, tracks and footpaths in coniferous forests, but are also found in gardens. The ichneumon larva feeds on the body tissues of the host until fully grown. Behaviour Ichneumons are parasites that lay their eggs in or on the larvae of other insects or spiders. The hosts of giant ichneumons are usually the larvae of horntails, or wood wasps, and related species, as well as the larvae of longhorn beetles. The female looks for hosts, which live within fallen timber. She may detect them through the smell of their droppings, which are then contaminated by fungi, or by sensing their vibrations within the wood. However she does it, the accuracy with which she locates them is remarkable. When she finds the right spot, she drives her slender ovipositor into the wood (which can be inches thick) by rotating the two halves backwards and forwards very rapidly. She lays one egg next to or on the host larvae. The whole process takes about 20 to 40 minutes. When the fly larvae hatches it feeds externally on the host. It overwinters and pupates in the spring before emerging from the wood. Giant ichneumons sometimes emerge in houses from furniture made from new timber. The adults are active from July to August. Giant ichneumon flies are common in the UK. There are about 60,000 species in the lchneumonidae family. They are part of the Hymenoptera order, which includes wasps, ants and bees. Giant ichneumons are harmless to humans. |
Two-Spot Ladybird
 This is one of the goodies. The two-spot ladybird (Adalia bipunctatais) is very common and has very similar habits to the seven-spot ladybird. Two-spot ladybirds are 4-6mm in length. They are small round beetles with red elytra (wing cases), each with a single black spot. The thorax is black with two large white markings at the side and the head is black. The colouration and patterning of these beetles can be quite variable. They are widespread and common in Britain and Europe. Two-spot ladybirds inhabit gardens, woodland and hedgerows. They have a varied diet of small insects but favour plant-lice and aphids. Larvae and adults patrol plants hunting for insects to eat. In winter adult ladybirds congregate in large numbers to hibernate. They are sometimes found hibernating indoors, where they like to gather together in the corners of window frames. Females lay up to 20 eggs. Larvae pupate about 30 days after hatching. |
Centipede
 Centipede, common name for the members of arthropod family. The centipedes are long, segmented animals with jointed appendages and a poisonous “bite” .Centipedes are often confused with millipedes, which belong to a completely different group, and whereas the centipede is a gardeners friend millipedes certainly are not. The centipede body is divided into well-marked segments, the number of which varies from 12 to more than 100. The head, which is covered by a flat shield above,bears a pair of antennae, usually of considerable length and consisting of from 12 to more than 100 joints; a pair of small, strong, toothed, and bristly mandibles; and a pair of underjaws, usually with palps. The next, limblike appendages are followed by a modified pair of legs with strong joints,terminating in a sharp claw into which a poison gland opens. These appendages are used for seizing and killing prey. The two legs on each other segment are usually seven-jointed, sometimes bearing spurs and glands, and are generally clawed. They have a relatively large brain. Compound eyes occur in one family, and simple eyes or none at all in many. The feelers, certain bristles, and portions of the skin are also sensory. Most centipedes measure about 2.5 to 5 cm (about 1 to 2 in) in length, but some tropical species grow to about 30 cm (about 12 in). Centipedes are nocturnal and remain under stones or wood during the day. They are all carnivorous, and kill many of the pests that attack our plants. |
Cabbage White Butterfly
 If you grow a few brassicas, you will find that they have the potential to be the dining area for a few pests, in particular, the large cabbage white butterfly and caterpillars. At first you may notice holes eaten in the foliage of your brassicas (and occasionally also ornamentals such as nasturtiums) and it is essential that you sort the problem out at this stage. If spotted early, it is relatively easy to find and deal with the caterpillars, but if you leave it too long they will move into the heart. The large cabbage white caterpillars are about 2in. long when fully grown and are a distinct yellow colour with black markings. These spend much of their time feeding on the outer leaves. There are two other caterpillars that you may also come across, those of the small cabbage white and the cabbage moth. The caterpillars of the small cabbage white butterfly rapidly move right into the hearts of cabbages and other related crops. These are about 1in. long, and are pale green with an almost velvet-like look. The cabbage moth caterpillars are a yellowy-brown or dull green colour, each about 2in. long and are also particularly fond of the heart leaves of cabbage. Both types of cabbage white have two generations a year. The cabbage moth has only a single generation but will also attack onion plants. If you do not want to use pesticides and only grow relatively low-growing brassicas, you can cover with horticultural fleece to keep the plants free from caterpillars. Just use some wide fleece that is held in place with bricks. Provided the fleece is in place from the start it will keep off many other pests too including cabbage root fly and aphids. |
Fungus Gnat (Sciarid Fly)
 If you keep house plants or raise plants from seed or cuttings, then at some stage you're likely to come across the fungus gnat or sciarid fly. The adult gnats are 3-4mm long, black or dark grey and are usually found close to the surface of the compost, either running around on it or flying just above it. They look quite harmless, and most are, but some produce up to 100 eggs that hatch into larvae or maggots which can do damage. The adults do no harm directly, feeding largely on decaying organic matter, but their maggots may tunnel in to the base of cuttings or eat root hairs, roots or emerging foliage of young seedlings. If a houseplant is in poor condition it, too, may be attacked. The maggots have no legs, are white or semi-transparent and up to ¼in. long when fully grown. It's easy not to notice them if you do check through the compost, especially when they're still immature. The warm temperatures in greenhouses and homes means fungus gnats can breed throughout the year, so they're a potential problem at all times. The adults can become quite irritating, especially when they are darting around your houseplants. Any keen seed-sower or cutting-taker will also want to keep them to a minimum, and for both good hygiene is essential. The adults go for dead and deteriorating bits of plant, so regular removal of old and decaying bits of foliage is a good idea. Excessively moist compost will draw them in, so less rather than more is the trick when it comes to watering. If you don’t mind using chemicals, then Provado ultimate bug killer is about the best. If you want to go organic then yellow sticky traps are useful, though these are better in the greenhouse than the home The predatory mite Hypoaspis miles works well too, feeding on the larvae and helping to keep numbers down. You can also try the nematode, Steinemema feitiae. If you water this on to the compost the nematodes will penetrate the larvae and infect them with a fatal bacteria. |
Sawfly
 Sawflies can in no time at all reduce the foliage of your plants to nothing more than a lot of leaf veins. They eat away all the soft tissues of the leaf and leave just the main veins behind. The thing is they act so fast, that one day, your Plants can look perfectly fine, and a day or two later, they have been ruined. The adult sawflies are not directly responsible, it is their larvae that do the damage. Looking at them, you'd be forgiven for thinking that they were caterpillars, but in fact they are soft-bodied larvae of hymenopterans, making them much more closely related to bees, ants and wasps. If they are attacking a gooseberry or currant, then the female lays her eggs towards the centre of the bush so when the larvae hatch out they are well concealed. They then eat their way outwards, meaning that you may only notice them once they have already done most of the damage. The only way around this is to check the bushes really frequently from early spring onwards. Aquilegia sawfly larvae are pale green and up to ½in. long; the species attacking gooseberries are all about ¾in. long and two species have distinct black spotting. Solomon's seal sawfly larvae are about ¾in. long, a grey-white colour and have black heads. Like other successful pests, you usually find them on their favourite plant in large numbers and this partly explains why they seem to do such horrendous damage in such a short time. Catch them early. When it comes to control, there are a range of insecticides you can use. or you can hand pick them , but you much catch the infestation early, before it does too much harm. If you garden organically, don't be tempted to use the bacterial insecticide which works so well on caterpillar pests because it will not work on sawfly larvae, despite the fact they do look like caterpillars. If you find that you have missed them and one plant has been badly eaten, this may not mean total disaster. This is particularly so on gooseberries and Solomon's seal, which seem able to withstand a fair amount of damage and bounce back later in the season or the following year. |
Lily Beetle
 Becoming to be quite a serious pest, the red Lily beetle can devastate Lilies and fritillaries in a couple of days. Holes are eaten in the foliage in the spring and early summer. Damage can increase through the summer and severe or complete defoliation may occur. Because of this plants may not flower the following year as the bulbs are unable to store up sufficient energy. It is important to tackle the problem as soon as the beetles or their larvae are seen. So what are we looking for? Lily beetles are Bright red, resembling ladybirds without spots, around 8mm long, with black head and legs. They and their brown grubs both feed on the host plants. The adults are active from late March right through to autumn. They lay groups of reddish brown eggs from which grubs emerge. The grubs completely cover themselves with their wet, black excrement and look like bird droppings, eating the leaves from the tips right to the stem. Red lily beetle has been a serious pest in southern England for a while now, and now seems to be spreading throughout the country. It has now been found in parts of Wales and Yorkshire and Lancashire. I find the best control is to hand pick them when seen. If this doesn’t appeal to you then plants can be sprayed with a suitable insecticide. |
Pollen Beetles
 They may upset you, but pollen beetles do not pose a significant threat to your plants. Out in the garden these tiny, black, slightly metallic looking beetles are only likely to bother you if you happen to be wearing a yellow item of clothing, they adore this colour and you are likely to turn into a makeshift landing platform! In spring they may well spend a lot of time on yellow flowers. Daffodils are a real favourite. It is the large numbers of them that spoil the bunches of flowers brought in for the house that really seems to upset people. Pollen beetles are often mistakenly believed by gardeners to cause a lot of damage to flowers such as the blooms of sweet peas, runner beans, marrows and shasta daisies. In fact, although the adults do eat pollen, their appetites are so small that they really have no adverse effect on pollination. Indeed it is thought that in some instances they may aid pollination as they move from flower to flower carrying pollen on their backs. The only real crime of which some could stand accused is nibbling flower buds of roses and discolouring cauliflowers if their populations are particularly large. Many of these beetles start their life on commercially grown brassicas, including oil seed rape, which causes the problem, because they can move into the garden in such enormous numbers. Come the middle of summer the adults which have been living on these fields of oil seed rape find themselves with no where to go once the crops are over, and move into gardens and the countryside. They become a nuisance if you want to bring bunches of flowers in your house. I am afraid there are no real chemical controls, Although you can try Provado ultimate bug killer. A more likely control is to use a soft soap spray or try stergene at a strength of one capful to one gallon of water. It’s one of those things you have to put up with. |
Green shield bug (Palomena prasina)
 This is a broad flattened green insect with a darker area at the rear end. The adult bugs are 10mm long and often seen basking in the sun on a wide variety of plants. The name shield bug is due to the shield shape of the adult insects when seen from above. The immature nymphs have a more rounded shape and are pale green, with some black markings during the earlier instars. Although sometimes mistaken for beetles, shield bugs belong to a different group of insects, the Hemiptera. They feed by sucking sap from a wide range of plants but cause no noticeable damage to cultivated plants, even when numerous. They overwinter as adults but before seeking sheltered places they are seen in late summer and autumn sitting on plant foliage in the sun. They are also visible in early summer when they lay small clusters of eggs on the undersides of leaves. In recent years green shield bugs seem to have become more abundant and widespread. Other species of shield bugs that are brown or yellowish green with reddish markings may also be found in gardens. All shield bugs are harmless so control measures are not required. |
Brown Tail Moth
 The caterpillars of the brown tail moth not only devastate certain types of tree, shrub and hedge, they can also do a lot of harm to Humans also. It is the body hairs that create the problem, as they may cause an extremely unpleasant rash. The caterpillars are up to 1½in. long and a greyish black colour, decorated with white and red markings, and with two orange wart-like spots at the rear end. And their bodies are also covered with those hairs. They are particularly fond of eating plants in the family rosaceae such as hawthorn, prunus (including cherries and blackthorn), roses, apples and blackberry, but may attack a much wider range of trees and shrubs too. They feed, often clustered closely together, beneath a protective silken webbing that they have spun across the foliage. The plant is soon devastated and you'll notice something's wrong with it, even from a distance. Not only is the foliage virtually all eaten, but the plant appears to be decorated with silken tents. In winter is when you spot them more easily, protected from the weather in extra dense silken tents they have spun at the tips of the shoots. If the hairs get into your eyes they can cause temporary blindness, this can even happen if the hairs are blown into your eyes. If you do see these rapid treatment is essential. If you decide to cut out all the tents yourself make sure you cover up well, with a long-sleeved jacket, gloves and protective eyewear. But to be safe you can call in Council workers who will do the job for you. |
Holly Leaf Miner
 You enjoy the perfect foliage on your holly bush throughout the year, then just when you go to pick a bunch to make Christmas decorations, those once smooth, glossy leaves suddenly look a mess. Now of course there's a whole bunch of reasons why this could be so - but one that makes the leaves look particularly awful is the holly leaf miner. It is rare to see a holly in this country that has not been attacked by leaf miner, so if you possibly can, try not to get too irate. The symptoms you see on the leaves are either yellow to pale brown lines, or raised yellow or beige blotches. It can get so bad that the plant is almost unrecognisable. The damage is caused by the larva of a fly. The adult flies appear in late May or June and the female lays her egg in the leaf. The grub that hatches then feeds within the leaf, creating a wriggly line, or mine, as it munches its way through the softer leaf tissue. The little beast remains wedged between the upper and lower waxy cuticles, or outer layers, of the leaf. The mine broadens out to form a blotch which may be up to about 3/8in. (1cm) in diameter. These blotch mines start out a yellowy green colour and then become brownish as the leaf tissue dies, though they often have a distinctly purple tint. The grubs pupate within the infested leaves over the following spring, and then an adult hatches out from each one, so beginning the whole cycle again. There really is nothing much else that looks like the damage cause by the holly leaf miner. If you're in doubt, peel off the upper leaf surface carefully, and you should see the plump grub within the leaf. Infuriating as it may be, holly leaf miner does not do any significant harm to the plant. Even leaf drop, which often occurs in June, is rarely associated with the pest. Leaf drop is a perfectly naturally occurrence. Annoyingly, hollies which have been regularly clipped to form a neat hedge seem to be much more prone to being attacked than those grown as natural trees or bushes. So if you want to ensure you have a supply of perfect leaves for the festive season, it's well worth your while growing at least one holly tree that is not regularly clipped. |
Emperor Dragonfly
 The emperor is Britain's largest dragonfly; they are a spectacular sight with their broad wings and powerful flight. After emerging, both sexes are pale green with brownish markings. The legs are brown, becoming yellowish towards the base; the wings have black veins, and take on a yellowish-brown tinge with age. Males develop a bright blue abdomen with a black 'fish-bone' line passing down the centre; the thorax and head are green and the prominent eyes are blue. Females have similar markings to males, but are mainly green in colour, becoming brownish on the last few segments of the abdomen. Both sexes possess appendages at the tip of the abdomen known as 'claspers', which are used in mating; in males these claspers are more robust than in females. The larvae or 'nymphs' are brownish in colour and have stocky bodies with rounded heads that feature very large eyes. This dragonfly has a broad global distribution; it is found in Europe from Portugal to Germany in the north, and extends eastwards to central Asia. It is also known from North Africa and the Middle East. In Britain, it is fairly widespread in southern England and south Wales, but becomes quite scarce in the north Midlands, although there are signs that the species is currently extending northwards. It breeds in a range of aquatic habitats including large ponds, canals, slow-flowing rivers, lakes, flooded gravel pits, and dykes, but in all cases there must be a plentiful supply of marginal vegetation that emerges from the water.
|
Mint Beetle
 The mint beetle, Chrysolina menthastri is probably one of the prettiest beetles you'll come across in a British garden, but they can cause quite a bit of damage to mint plants. Despite the fact that each beetle is no bigger than ¼in. long, they have a great appetite for mint foliage. A little later in the summer you may also spot their larval stage, a blackish, squidgy-looking grub which also munches its way through the mint leaves. If you grow cultivated mints or have any wild plants nearby this little beetle will be in its element and so is often considered a pest. The theory is that you should therefore attempt control, ideally by picking off adults and young and killing them. As they are not that common, if you find any perhaps growing enough mint for the both of you would be the best answer. |
Whitefly
 Whitefly are about 2mm long with white wings. They look innocuous enough, as does the clearly visible young or scale stage. This appears as an oval, white-green flattened structure. The problem is that glasshouse whitefly multiply very rapidly and feed by sucking plant sap, and they prefer almost any plant grown in a greenhouse or conservatory. They build up so quickly that the infested plants rapidly look poorly, with bad growth, limp, and sometimes yellowed and distorted. As if to add insult to injury, these pests excrete vast quantities of a sticky liquid called honeydew. The sugar content of the plants they suck is so high that even the whitefly cannot digest it all, so when they produce their excreta the substance resembles a sugar solution, hence the name 'honeydew'. The honeydew then acts a growing medium for black fungi known as sooty mould, with the result that your plants not only get sticky but also look as if they are dusted with soot! In hot summers, glasshouse whitefly will even spread into your garden so you do need to take action promptly. You can use those sticky yellow cards. Hang a few in the greenhouse and you will soon see trapped whitefly if they are about. Once you know they are there you will need to start controlling them as soon as possible. You can try biological controls. Suppliers stock a minute wasp, Encarsia formosa, which works well except with densely hairy foliage, like aubergines. The wasp flies around the greenhouse, locates the scale stage of the whitefly, lays an egg in each scale she finds and then flies on, looking for more scale stages. The egg hatches out to produce a larva which consumes the developing whitefly and then, when the wasp itself is ready to hatch out, it cuts a tiny circle in the scale and flies off. Parasitized scale's turn black, so are easily identified. In order to keep your greenhouse free of whitefly for the entire summer, you may need to use several batches of these parasites, but your supplier will advise you, and some even send out top-up packs at suitable intervals once you have made the initial payment. If the problem has got out of hand, then you should consider introducing the voracious predator of whitefly, a small brown beetle called Delphastus. You will need these beetles when you find dense, white clouds of whitefly, a level of infestation that Encarsia wasps would find impossible to cope with. Remember that if you want to use biological controls, it is essential that the greenhouse is not contaminated with an insecticide that could harm the parasites. Most insecticides fall into this category; but it is always best to check with your biological supplier. You could use chemicals, but bear in mind that the majority of glasshouse whitefly now seem to show resistance to some widely used chemical controls. |
Common Field Grasshopper
 This is probably the most frequently seen grasshopper. It is fairly large and occurs in a very wide range of colours, including green, brown and purple, usually with a variable amount of black, brown or grey mottling. The tough forewings, which protect the delicate membranous hind wings, are long, and in common with all Chorthippus spcies, have a bulge near their base. Most individuals have an orange tinge at the tip of the abdomen. This species can be identified by the low number of pegs on the legs used to produce the very characteristic song. This grasshopper is a strong flier, and is active in warm weather. On warm days it can frequently be seen sunning itself on walls, bare ground and paths. The song consists of chirps lasting half a second long. Males often chirp at each other in turn; these rivalry songs are very characteristic of the species. During courtship they produce a 'ticking' sound when paired with a female. These sounds are produced by the hindlegs which are scraped against veins on the forewing. During summer, females lay a large egg pod containing up to 15 eggs in dry ground just below the surface, or sometimes in anthills. The egg is the overwintering stage, they hatch in May and adults appear in June. Grasshoppers undergo a type of development known as incomplete metamorphosis, in which the larvae, known as nymphs resemble wingless adults, and progress through a series of moults before reaching maturity. Adult common field grasshoppers are better able to survive cold weather than many other species of grasshopper, and they can occasionally survive until December. |
Blackberry Mite
 The blackberry mite is widely distributed throughout the UK on both wild and cultivated blackberries. It causes fruit to either remain hard and green, or to turn red without fully ripening. It is often referred to as the red berry mite and the condition of the berries as red berry disease, although it is not a disease in the true sense of the word. The adult females are tiny; less than a fifth of a millimetre long. They overwinter in small numbers beneath the bud scales and within mummified fruits, reappearing in March or April and invading new growth. Mites increase rapidly as temperatures rise, and at blossom time the mites enter the flowers and feed on the developing drupelets. They do no harm to the foliage or flowers but uneven fruit ripening occurs following the Injection of toxic saliva into developing drupelets. These remain red or greenish and hard, occurring most frequently at the base of the fruits. Damage tends to increase throughout the season with late maturing fruits being most severely affected. In the absence of a suitable insecticide a good alternative to control the mite is to adopt the biennial cropping system. Prune all canes down to ground level in the autumn and burn. In spring, a new set of mite-free canes emerges to bear healthy fruit the following year. After fruiting, prune again so the plant has an 'on' followed by an 'off' fruiting year. |
The Swallowtail Butterfly
 The swallowtail is perhaps one of our rarest and most beautiful butterflies. It is yellow in colour with stunning black markings with a red spot on the hind wings capped with blue. The underside is somewhat paler in colour. Initially the young caterpillars resemble a bird dropping, which protects them from being eaten by potential predators. After a couple of moults, the large caterpillar will have developed a bright green body with black bands along the body and yellowish-orange spots. It is found only in the Norfolk Broads, and once had a much wider range, extending throughout the East Anglian Fens, the Somerset Levels, the marshes along the Thames, reaching as far north as Yorkshire. These wetland areas have long since been drained. The species was lost from Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire in the 1950s and attempts at reintroduction have been made, so far with little success. The swallowtail produces a single brood a year in the Norfolk Broads, but a second brood may be produced in some years. The sole foodplant is milk parsley . Adults are on the wing from late May to mid July, and second brood adults are present in August. Females lay their eggs singly on the leaves of the milk parsley and the caterpillars hatch out after around one week. They are active during the day and feed on the foodplant for about a month until they are fully grown. If disturbed, a pair of bright orange scent glands emerge from just behind the head; these horn-like structures repel potential predators by the strong unpleasant smell that they emit. The caterpillars attach their pupae low down on plant stems; the adults emerge either within three weeks, or after hibernating through the winter. |
Blue ground beetle
 This is a large and impressive beetle, with an attractive metallic purple or blue sheen to it. It does not possess wings, although it does have 'typical' beetle wing cases. These have a rough surface, described as looking like a 'rugged landscape' under the microscope. It was only recorded three times in the twenty years prior to 1993 and was considered extinct in Britain until a specimen was found in 1994. The blue ground beetle is found throughout Europe where it is known to be in decline. It is considered a threatened species in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Denmark. In the UK is has always been considered rare, known from only 12 sites in Devon and Cornwall. In 1994, it was found in just two small woodlands, on the edge of Dartmoor but, by 2000, it had also been found at a total of six sites, one near the two Dartmoor sites and three on the edge of Bodmin Moor. The blue ground beetle is associated with damp, rotten moss-covered wood in mature beech and oak woodland. It seems to prefer little or no ground vegetation, and requires a humid atmosphere and a moist, peaty leaf-litter, with grazing to reduce the build-up of ground vegetation. Until recently, little was known about the life cycle of the blue ground beetle, but following field research, more is known now about the adults. Blue ground beetles are nocturnal carnivores, and tests have shown they prefer a certain species of slug Limax marginatus. (They were also found to have a taste for liver, dog food and crabsticks!) In the wild, the adults are found under bark on deadwood, and under rocks. It is thought that, being a large beetle, it may take two years to complete its life cycle. The adults are known to be very long-lived by beetle standards. |
The common asparagus beetle
 The common asparagus beetle, Crioceris asparagi, is a pest of asparagus. The asparagus beetle adults are ¼-inch long with oval-shaped bodies and long antennae. The larvae are slug-like with visible head and legs. The common asparagus beetle adult is bluish black with cream colored spots on its back. The larvae are light gray with a black head. The beetle adults overwinter in sheltered locations such as under loose tree bark or in the hollow stem of old asparagus plants. They appear just as the asparagus spears are emerging from the soil in the spring. Numerous dark brown, oval-shaped eggs are laid on end in rows on the spears. The eggs hatch within a week. The larvae migrate to the ferns to start feeding. The larvae feed for about two weeks and then fall to the ground to pupate in the soil. About a week later, adults emerge to start another generation and will feed on the ferns for the remainder of the growing season. Feeding on the spears by both species of asparagus beetle adults can cause browning and scarring. Start looking just after asparagus plants emerge and throughout the remainder of the growing season, Handpicking, especially in small gardens, can be effective. If you detect a heavy infestation, you may use one of the following insecticides: Carbaryl, malthion, or permethrin. Avoid spraying when asparagus or other plants are flowering. If spraying is necessary during flowering, spray very early in the morning or in the evening when the bees are less likely to be gathering nectar or pollen in the garden. A tiny (less than 1/8-inch) metallic green wasp, Tetrastichus asparagi, parasitizes asparagus beetle eggs. You may notice these wasps when working in your garden. They can sometimes provide very effective control, parasitizing up to 70% of the eggs.
|
Harlequin Ladybird
 We are always being told how benifical ladybirds are, but here’s one that’s not so friendly, The Harlequin. The harlequin ladybird was first spotted in the UK in September 2004. Sightings had mainly been confined to the south but now the pest has been seen in Norfolk and it’s possible it has reached much further North. This is a new and destructive form of giant ladybird species. Originally from Asia, harlequin ladybirds have spread across America and Europe. Not only does it attack aphids, but it will eat our own common ladybirds. Not only is it a threat to our native species, but it also damages soft fruit and has an appetite for pears. Cambridge University state "The harlequin is a deadly threat to our own British ladybirds," 'We need to monitor them closely in order to assess the spread and impact of the insect." Although there are 46 species of ladybird in Britain, harlequins are voracious predators and easily out-compete native species for food. So what can we do to combat this pest? Examine your plants and shrubs and look at all ladybirds, and destroy any harlequins you find. So next how do you identify them? Well here are a few tips of what to look for. Harlequins are rounder In shape, and slightly larger than most British species, measuring 8mm. Most harlequin ladybirds fall into three categories: orange with spots, black with two orange or red spots and black with four orange or red spots. But the most obvious thing to look for is they have a white plate with a big black m shaped marking on it, just behind the head. How you dispose of them is up to you, but the best and most sure way is to knock them on to the floor and tread on them. |
Black Bean Aphid
 Although sometimes called ‘blackfly’, the black bean aphid is actually a true bug, having the specialised piercing and sucking mouthpart, which are used in this species to obtain plant juices. This widespread aphid is a minute species with a small head and large abdomen. The body is blackish or dark green in colour. Two tube-like protrusions at the rear of the abdomen, known as cornicles, are the openings of wax glands. This wax protects the aphid from certain predators. It is widespread throughout Britain. It occurs in crop fields as well as gardens. The eggs overwinter on certain host plants, which in the black bean aphid are the spindle tree, Viburnum or Philadelphius plants. The aphids that hatch from these eggs in spring are all special wingless females. These are able to reproduce asexually through a process known as ‘parthenogenesis’ that does not involve mating. also, they do not lay eggs but give birth to live offspring, which are also females and able to reproduce without mating. The next generation to be produced are typically winged forms, and these undertake migrations to new plants. These summer hosts include a range of species such as beans, docks and spinach. Further asexual reproduction and live births on these hosts allow large populations to build up quickly. Winged and wingless forms are produced throughout the summer. Towards autumn, migration back to the primary hosts occurs. Sexual females are produced on the winter hosts and males mate with the females. It is on these plants that the mated females lay eggs which will overwinter, allowing the whole cycle to start once more the following year. |
Rosemary Leaf Beetle
 If the shoot tips of rosemary and lavender in your garden are turning brown and dying back it could be the sign of an infestation of rosemary leaf beetle. This is another new imported pest that has been found in Britain. The beetles are natives of southern Europe. They feed on the new shoot tips causing them to die back. They're easy to spot because they have metallic green and purple stripes down their wing cases. Their larvae, which the RHS say are slug-like and pale grey in colour with a dark stripe down the side, also cause damage by feeding on the shoots as they grow. Plants affected include rosemary, lavender, sage and thyme. They first appeared in the UK in 1994. and have been spreading steadily throughout the southern counties of England, but have now been recorded in Norwich. They're usually found in groups on stems, or feeding on the new growth of plants. Adult beetles are usually first seen in late spring, although they remain largely stationary on plants until later in the year. In late summer they'll begin to mate and lay eggs. Eggs are usually laid on the underside of leaves and are around 2mm in length. Larvae will hatch in about ten day's time and feed for a few weeks before dropping down to pupate below the soil surface. Check plants on a weekly basis for signs of infestation and deal with them as soon as they appear. Removing adults and larvae by hand will help, but if necessary products containing Imidicloprid, Bifenthrin, Pyrethrum or Natural fatty acids are all effective on rosemary beetle. The RHS state, there are currently no natural enemies to control rosemary leaf beetle. Shaking infested bushes over an old towel or sheet will enable large infestations to be collected and removed. Encourage insectivorous birds by hanging feeders in the winter and provide nesting boxes in the spring. Regular observation in late spring each year is essential to prevent infestations establishing. to reduce numbers. One final warning, the RHS says there are no recommended insecticides that can be used on rosemary if the plants are for culinary uses. |
Banded Demoiselle Fly
 The banded demoiselle males have a metallic bluish-green body with a central band of blackish-blue pigment on the wings. The females are metallic green and lack the band on the wings. Males of this species can be distinguished from those of the similar species, the beautiful demoiselle, by the distinctive band. In Britain, this species tends to occur more to the south off the country, but with a few scattered populations in the Lake District. Elsewhere it is found in central and southern mainland Europe, across Asia to China. It inhabits slow-moving rivers, ponds and other still water bodies. The larvae in amongst roots or aquatic plants. They are active mainly at night, and like other damselfly larvae are active predators. Larval development takes around two years, and they overwinter twice in the mud at the bottom of the river or pond. The flight period of adults is between May and the end of September. They take 7-10 days to mature following emergence, after which time they fly to breeding sites. Males hold territories around suitable egg-laying sites amongst vegetation that protrudes from the water, or they perch on vegetation at the riverside. Males try to mate with any female that passes by. Occasionally, males will fight over a territory, engaging in contest of a series of flights for hours. After mating, females oviposit the eggs alone, often placing the eggs into the tissues of submerged vegetation. The eggs take around 14 days to hatch. |
Marsh Fritillary
 This butterfly has a highly patterned pale yellowish-brown upperside with orange-brown markings and brown spots. The underside is light orange to brown with yellow spots. Females are generally larger than males. The caterpillars are black in colour with black spines along the back. Distributed throughout Europe and into Asia. The species was once widespread throughout Britain but has suffered a huge decline and is now extinct in eastern Britain, in fact a large percent of the English populations had become extinct by 2000. It breeds in open grassy areas, such as damp grassland, or heaths and mires. In all habitats a supply of the main foodplant, devil's-bit scabious is essential. The flight period occurs between mid-May to mid-July. A single brood is produced a year, and the eggs are laid in large batches on the underside of leaves. The larvae group together and form protective webs on the foodplant towards the end of August. Larvae hibernate whilst they are still small, and emerge the following spring to complete their development. The caterpillars pupate near the end of April, and the adults emerge about two weeks later. |
Common Blue Butterfly
 The common blue is one of the most common butterflies in Europe, and is widely seen in Britain. The males are a bluish-violet colour, but females are brown with orange spots near the margins of the wings. In both sexes, the undersides of the wings are greyish brown with blackish spots and orange crescents towards the margins of the wings. The caterpillar has a quite wide body, which tapers towards the ends. The head is black and the body is green. A darker green line with white passes along the side of the body. It is most numerous in the south of England and Wales. The main foodplant is common bird’s foot trefoil, although other trefoils, clovers and related plants may be used. This species tends to be found in sunny, sheltered areas, and is seen occasionally in the garden. Normaly in the south there are two broods per year with adults on the wing in May and June and again in August and September. Occasionally, in warm years, they may produce an extra brood in the same year. The eggs are laid singly on the foodplants and take about a week to hatch. Caterpillars of the first brood take around 6 weeks to become fully developed. Second brood caterpillars will overwinter when partly grown, and complete their development during the following year. Pupation usually occurs either at the base of the foodplant or in litter on the ground and adult butterflies emerge after around two weeks. Like other blue butterflies, the pupae of the common blue are attractive to ants and are often carried away into the nests where they are looked after by the ants and emerge later as adults |
Rose Chafer Beetle
 | Rose Chafer
This is a beautiful iridescent beetle that can occur in a variety of colours; the wingcases are usually bright green, but they may be darker or golden. The white marks on the wingcases also vary between individuals. There is a V-shaped groove on the back where the upper parts meet, and the underside is a coppery colour. The rose chafer belongs to the family, Scarabidae. The word Chafer means ‘to gnaw' and is said to relate to the feeding habits of this beetle. It is found throughout much of southern and central Europe. They are commonly found in gardens, sitting in flowers. The larvae live inside rotting wood and humus. The adult beetles are active between April and September; they are very clumsily flyers, often bumping into things including people, and are usually seen in sunny weather. They feed on leaves, fruits, flowers and buds of a range of plants including roses, hence their common name, and are considered a pests for this reason. The larvae feed on plant roots, and spend the winter hibernating in the soil or inside rotting wood, emerging the following year to pupate. After they emerge as adults they feed for a few weeks, mate and then die. |
|
Hoverflies
 Hoverflies are attractive insects, and although they do look like wasps they are perfectly harmless, but their larvae, considerably Less attractive, and often mistaken for pests, are brilliant predators that consume large numbers of pests such as aphids. The fewer chemicals you use in your garden, the more likely you are to see hoverflies developing to control pests. It is also worth noting that the more flowers you grow that attract adult hoverflies, the more hoverflies there will be to lay eggs, and the more hoverfly larvae you will have around. Adult hoverflies are attracted by many flowers, especially those with a daisy‑like structure and which has easy access to the nectar. If you have a good number of these types of plants around your garden you will see a significantly beneficial effect, as the hoverfly larvae move in. A couple of years ago we had an absolute swarm of hoverflies hit the country, and that year for months not one aphid was to be seen in my garden, and I for one could do with a couple of more years like that. |
Honey Bee
 | | The honey bee is probably one of the best-known of all insects in the world; it performs a vital role in the pollination of flowering plants, including our crop species. There are three types of bee within a hive, a queen, the drones and the workers. All three are broadly similar in appearance. The queen has a much longer and slender abdomen than the workers, and the drones can be identified by their broader abdomens and much larger eyes . The honey bee is widespread in Britain, and is often a domesticated species. Honey bees live in hives, which need to be close to good sources of pollen and nectar . Evidence of beekeeping using artificial hives can be traced to 1000 years ago in Egypt; however, natural hives do occasionally occur. Before they were domesticated, honey bees made their nests in hollow trees in woodlands. Occasionally, colonies may still become established in dead trees when they escape from a domesticated hive. The internal structure of the hive is built by the bees with wax. The hive structure consists of wax 'honeycombs', each honeycomb is made of small cells, which are used to store food or to rear the brood. Bees feed on nectar and pollen taken from flowers; stores of honey regurgitated nectar and pollen gathered on the legs in special 'pollen baskets' see them through the winter . Honey bees have a complex system of communication; when a good supply of flowers has been discovered, a returning forager can convey the location of the food to other workers by means of special dances. The discovery of a good foraging location is announced by the 'round dance' in which the forager circles around rapidly, while the 'waggle dance', involving a rapid movement of the tail, contains information on the distance and direction of the flowers in relation to the hive, using the sun as a compass. The queen is the only bee within the colony to lay eggs, the workers care for the brood, and carry out many other duties for the hive, including foraging and cleaning . The queen mates just once, on a 'nuptial flight' during spring, and stores enough sperm inside her body to allow her to fertilise her eggs for the rest of her life. Eggs are laid from March to October; each egg is deposited into a cell, and a small, white larva emerges after around days. Workers provide the larva with food; after days the pupal stage will develop, and the workers cap the cells containing fully developed larvae with wax. The adult bee will climb out of the cell days later. Drones males are produced from unfertilised eggs, and appear in the colony during spring and early summer; they take three days longer to develop into adults than workers, and are ejected from the colony later in the year by the workers . Both worker and queen bee larvae are fed on a rich liquid known as 'royal jelly' in the first days of life. Workers are then fed on pollen and nectar, but larvae that continue to be given royal jelly develop into queens. The first new queen to emerge may sting the other developing queens to death. After mating she may either take the place of her mother who may have departed the hive in a swarm, taking half of the workers with her, or establish a new colony. Natural populations of honey bees have been severely affected by the activities of humans . Non-native subspecies have been widely introduced to many areas of Europe, and managed colonies have often interbred with native bees, causing a loss of unique genetic diversity in local populations . In Germany the native race Apis mellifera mellifera is now thought to be extinct, as it has been completely replaced by the introduced Apis mellifera carnica. A more recent threat to the species in Britain is the mite Varroa jacobsoni, which is devastating honey bee populations around the world and was first found in Britain in 1979. These mites attack larvae, pupae and adults and are very expensive to control; in the last years the expense involved has caused a worrying 0- % of beekeepers to abandon the craft. To make matters worse, strains of the mite with resistance to the chemicals used in their control have recently been found . |
|
This page has been visited  times. |
