Bad Bugs
PICKLEWORMS
In August, a particularly frustrating insect that can attack the vegetable garden is the pickleworm. This insect can be devastating to most crops in the cucurbit family – cucumbers, squash, melons and even pumpkins.
Pickleworms bore into sides of fruits and continue to feed there causing internal damage. Both young and old fruits are attacked, but they prefer young fruits before the rind has hardened. After the rind has been punctured, the fruit soon rots, or, in the case of cantaloupes, becomes “sour”.
Obviously, once you see holes in the fruit it is too late to save that fruit.
Organic Remedy: B.t. (Bacillus thuringiensis). Apply before August.
ASIAN BEETLE
Multicolored Asian lady beetles are about 1/4 inch long. Females are slightly larger than males and specimens from higher elevations are larger than those from the Piedmont and Coastal Plains. These lady beetles vary greatly in appearance. Some have yellowish or orange forewings. Some have beige forewings and some are bright reddish orange. READ MORE
BOXELDER BEETLE
The boxelder bug is found throughout North Carolina. Besides boxelder tree seeds, this insect has been recorded as feeding on apple, ash, buckeye, cactus, geranium, grape, honeysuckle, lilac, linden, oak, peach, plum, spirea, strawberry, and tulip. Alder, maple and boxelder trees are most often infested but trees are seldom injured. Fruit trees and strawberries have occasionally had fruits damaged. Although boxelder bugs are associated with shade trees, this insect is more commonly a household pest. In fall, boxelder bugs tend to congregate on buildings and enter cracks and crevices to overwinter. They do not bite people or harm goods, but their presence is a nuisance. On warm winter days, the insects become active and move about in and on buildings and cause concern for the homedweller. READ MORE
MARMORATED STINK BEETLE
This Asian stink bug feeds on a variety of hosts in the landscape including butterfly bush (Buddleia), pawlonia, hibiscus, zinnia, and sunflower, to name a few. They also attack fruit trees (ornamental or otherwise). They have potential to do damage to commercial apple, peach, soybean, cotton and other crops. In some areas of the country they are more numerous than the native green stink bug. They may inflict leaf and fruit damage from feeding with needle-like mouth parts. READ MORE
INSECT PHENOLOGY
Grasshopper Eggs hatch
around the time purple Lilacs bloom
Eastern Tent Caterpillar eggs hatch
when the buds of crabapples and wild plums open
Mexican Bean Beetle larvae appear
when Foxglove flowers open
Squash Vine Borers appear
when chicory is in flower
