Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

gwl-g - RE: [gwl-g] aphids

gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: gardenwriters-on-gardening

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: <miranda@tagoresmith.com>
  • To: "'gardenwriters-on-gardening'" <gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: RE: [gwl-g] aphids
  • Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 14:14:49 -0400

Title: Message
 
I agree with Jeff--lacewings are a better choice than fine horticultural oil. But even better, IMO, would be Aphidoletes aphidimyza, a predatory gall midge that does a dynamite job on aphids in no time flat and emerges early in the year. As a matter of fact, you might be able to find some on the maple and if not there, on the smaller branches and twigs of virburnums, roses, or apples in the area. The larvae are small orange maggot-like creatures that crawl around grabbing unsuspecting aphids by the knee joint, whereupon they inject a paralytic toxin into the joint, and, well...you can guess the rest.
 
If you find them, prune off the wood where they're feasting and take them back to your tree. Tie the twigs to the maple tree, close enough so the maggots can find their way onto its infested branches, and let them do their jobs.
 
You can also attract lots of aphid predators and parasites by hanging blooming pots of small flowered plants such as sweet alyssum in the tree. The adults who come to feed will no doubt notice the fine nursery and stay around long enough to deposit some eggs in the aphids or on the tree itself.
 
As for the Aphidoletes aphidimyza, most biological supply companies sell them and provide directions for releasing them.
 
Good luck,
 
Miranda Smith 



Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page