Leafcutter bees (Megachilidae) are frequent visitors to rose gardens, and for rosarians they often inspire mixed feelings. Their signature damage—smooth, half-moon cuts taken from the edges of rose leaves—can look startling, especially on carefully groomed shrubs or exhibition plants. Yet these same insects play an important and often underappreciated role in the overall health and […]
What’s Damaging my Rose Leaves? Read More »
Syrphid flies, commonly known as flower or hover flies, resemble bees. The brightly colored adults are black or brown adorned with yellow banded abdomens and body markings. The broad head is about the width of the abdomen or wider and has large eyes with distinct antennae. As flies, they have one pair of wings, while
Predators, parasites, and pathogens (disease producing organisms) are the primary groups used in the biological control of insects and mites along with many species of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. Insects that are natural enemies of pests are also referred to as beneficial insects or beneficials. The most common type of natural enemy is the
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Big-eyed bug adults and nymphs (immatures) are oval and commonly black, brownish, gray, or reddish, with a wide head, prominent antennae, and as their name implies, big bulging eyes. Adults range from about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. They walk with a distinctive “waggle” and emit an unpleasant odor when handled. Found mostly on low-growing
Meet the Big-eyed Bug! Read More »
Soldier beetles are predators to a host of bad bugs including aphids and other soft bodies insects. Also known as leather-winged beetles, adults are less than half an inch long, and straight-sided with a red, orange, or yellow head and abdomen. Larvae are elongated and cylindrical except flattened on top, and have distinct, rounded segments.
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With the last substantial rains being a distant memory, summer temperatures and low humidity are ideal conditions for spider mites – a scourge of the season for roses and lots of other plants. Spider mites are related to spiders and ticks. With eight legs and an oval body 1/20 of an inch-long, they look like
These pests love dry and dusty! Read More »
Lizards are definitely good for the garden. These easy to identify inhabitants, with their dry, scaly skin, four legs with clawed feet, and long tail, are generally six to nine inches long. You might find them basking in warm, sunny places or scampering around rocks, brush piles or other small, confined areas, fences and buildings.
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