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  • From: "Jessie Stephens" <jessie@texoma.net>
  • To: "gardenwriters-on-gardening" <gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [gwl-g] aphids
  • Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 19:15:58 -0500

Title: Message
Can't resist weighing in on this. I live in north central Texas where the really big winter dandelions mature at about the same time the aphids start showing up in the spring. I let two or three dandelions mature completely (2 1/2 to 3 feet), instead of yanking them out. Apparently aphids think they're a gourmet cafeteria, because they will choose the dandelions over even the tastiest new buds on my roses. Not only are the dandies first class trap plants, they also lure in the lady bugs and other predators looking for snacks. It's a great treat to watch a lady bug hoovering up and down the stem. For the last few years, I haven't used any other aphid remedy on or near my multiple rose bushes. 'Course, they're not too pretty. But they do make great conversation starters.
Jessie
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, April 17, 2004 1:14 PM
Subject: RE: [gwl-g] aphids

 
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 


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