[ Return ]
What is this creature?
Question 1: This is my first summer gardening in Motueka and I've been "plagued" (well, not really, but they're a real pest) by these insects that look like tiny butterflies or flies with partly transparent wings that have these intricate ribbed patterns.
These beggers are well housed among my bean crop, and although they don't seem to be eating huge amounts of foliage or any beans themselves, they're a pain when they fly up into my face (and nose!) when I'm trying to pick beans. They also gather on the outsides of most of our house windows (and some get on the insides) and spend their time slowly crawling across the glass.
A friend in Nelson is also being pestered by these critters. My question is, what are they, what damage are they doing, should I be worried, and how do I get rid of them?
Answer 1: They are Passionvine Hoppers. They suck sap, produce sticky Honeydew which is then lived on by the black Sooty Mold. Pyrethrum can be used as an organic knock-down spray - must come in contact with the insect. Very prevalent this time of year, specially if plants are under moisture stress.
- Grant Douglas.
Answer 2: Yes, Grant is right. Currently the hoppers have reached the winged stage, and I suppose that means they'll be laying eggs all over the place. In the larval stage they are smaller; white and woolly. I try and control them at that early stage with Pyrox spray, but the spray is effective on the winged form as well.
- Colin Hooker
Answer 3: I find them a pain too, and will try Pyrethrum. Interesting, though - Those tiny white wooly larvae are a great bonus for a gang of sparrows we have here. They (the sparrows) see them on some shrubs, and they get one or two of them to fly up onto a branch and shake the branch, and the rest of them swoop on the wooly insects that fall out. The sparrows take turns at being the shakers and the gobblers. It's great entertainment watching them, and it surprises me that these birds have learnt among themselves to work together and make this trick work.
- Dave
Answer 4: An oil spray in winter to cover the eggs they are busy laying now (March) should reduce them next year. I used neem seed oil on them before they got to the winged stage when they are just a fluffy larvae. Reduced them.
- Coralie Smith
>> If you have something else to add (or dispute), , to be added to the page.
[ Return ]
