Help me ID - Killing a few of my bushes

Discussion in 'Garden Pest Management and Identification' started by Stampy13, Jun 24, 2008.

  1. Stampy13

    Stampy13 Member

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    Location:
    Waterloo, Ontario
    This same bug devastated one of my shrubs last year, and now is on another. There are little buggers on the stems in a clump, ants seem to really like eating them. The damage is to the soft part of the leaves.

    Please help.

    The photos give me the willies even.
     

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  2. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

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    Location:
    philly, pa, usa 6b
    what kind of bush is it?

    the ants could be 'farming' the bugs.

    i want to say they are scale bugs - looking at the pic on the right in expanded view, i'm not sure that's what they are, though.

    they could be aphids - ants are known to 'farm' them.
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2008
  3. Lysichiton

    Lysichiton Active Member

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    Location:
    Fraser Valley, BC.
    Maybe you have 2 problems here. The aphids are sucking the "sap" from the stem, but I don't think they are eating holes in your leaves. I find Safer's Insecticidal soap (or whatever your local brew is) works a treat on these guys. It is literally soap.

    I like to spray in in the am when it is cooler & humid then come back in the pm & they are all dried out & mummified. The soap works by dissolving the was in the exterior skeleton of the bug & they dehydrate. Depending on the bug you might get lucky & zap the leafeater too!


    You can just run your fingers over them & squish them. Works well.

    Or, watch & wait & see which bug or beast comes along to finally eat them.

    Gardening is not for the squeamish is it?

    Just my observations - open to correction, expansion & dispute.

    gb.
     
  4. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Location:
    WA USA (Z8)
    Yes: The aphids have nothing to do with the chewing.
     

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