Aphids pierce plants to suck out plant juices, causing wilting, stunted growth, and deformed leaves, stems, and fruit. If you control them early, plants do recover. Categories: Aphids There are several types of armyworms, but all have one thing in common: they have big appetites. When they hatch, the tiny larvae crawl like inchworms, eating leaves to fuel their rapid growth. They vary in shades of yellow, green, gray, and brown, depending on the species and their age. Categories: Army Worms Both the adults and the larvae of asparagus beetle attack the spears and foliage of asparagus. Categories: Asparagus Beetle These caterpillars chew holes in the leaves of broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, Brussels sprouts, mustard, and other related crops. Categories: Cabbageworms Often present in hordes, Colorado potato beetles ravage potato plants by eating the foliage. When potatoes are not available, they may feed on eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers. Categories: Colorado Potato Beetle Earworms are the larvae of moths that appear in the spring. They lay eggs on corn; if corn is not available, they will find tomatoes, beans, and other crops. Categories: Corn Earworm Cucumber beetles feed on the leaves and roots of cucumbers, squash, melons, and pumpkins. Categories: Cucumber Beetle Cutworms are fat, soft, smooth caterpillars that do their damage at night when you are not looking. Categories: Cut Worm European corn borers are caterpillars that bore through the insides of corn stalks and occasionally also attack beans, beets, celery, peppers, and potatoes. Categories: European Corn Borers Several species feed on potatoes, eggplant, corn, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and other vegetables. Categories: Flea Beetle Adult harlequin bugs appear in the spring after hiding in tall grass and garden refuse through winter. The first warm days bring them out ready to lay eggs on the earliest plants that are set out. Categories: Harlequin Bug Appearing in late spring and summer, they look first for tomato plants, but they will also attack eggplants, peppers, and potatoes. Categories: Horn Worm Most gardeners know Japanese beetles from their attacks on roses, fruit, and lawns. However, the beetles also love corn, asparagus, and rhubarb. Categories: Japanese Beetles Mexican bean beetles appear in the spring on limas, green beans, and black-eyed peas, chewing on the leaves and pods. Categories: Mexican Bean Beetle Thrips are common on onions and a host of other vegetables, including squash, cabbage, beans, tomato, and peas. Categories: Onion Thrips Pickleworms are tropical caterpillars that ruin summer squash, their favorite meal, by burrowing into and feeding inside the fruit. Categories: Pickle Worm Plant bugs are a group of insects that injure vegetables and strawberries by sucking sap from the plants. Categories: Plant Bugs Often you do not know that they are present until the leaves begin yellowing and drying up as thousands of mites suck sap from the plant. Categories: Spider Mites Easily confused with Mexican bean beetles because they look alike, squash beetles are found on squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, and melons--not beans. Categories: Squash Beetle Squash bugs appear in spring after wintering in garden debris, under old boards, in woodpiles--just about anywhere they can find shelter. Categories: Squash Bugs The squash vine borers are serious enemies of squash and gourds but rarely attack cucumbers and melons. Named for its boring into stems, the borer’s tunneling often kills whole plants, especially if they attack the base. Categories: Squash Vine Borer Strawberry leafroller caterpillars are common pests in the eastern half of the country. They first appear in spring when they begin feeding on leaves and then roll themselves up in the leaves in silk webbing. Categories: Srawberry Leafroller Previous Page | Next Page |
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