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Butterfly Garden

Tiny black bugs eating my fennel?

14 years ago

I have these tiny black bugs on my fennel and they seem to be sucking it dry. They remind me of fleas. They jump if you try to touch them. I think they may be the same thing that is eating holes in the leaves of my other plants. If they kill my fennel my swallowtails will have no food!! Any suggestions on what these are, or how to keep them in check?

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Comments (4)

butterflymomok
14 years ago
I'm not for sure what you are dealing with, but make sure you keep your plant hydrated. Normally bugs don't kill the plant, they may damage it and stunt it. Since you are growing these for the butterflies, you don't want to use chemicals. You might try a little spray with a soap solution and see if it helps. If it kills the bugs, then you can wash the plants to remove the residue.

Good luck!

bfmom
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years ago
This is a difficult problem. Soap solutions, whether home-made elixirs made from detergent or commercial products can also harm soft bodied caterpillars.

However, it may be helpful to know that insecticidal soaps must come into actual contact with the insect in order to harm them. Once dried, there is no residual effect. No need to rinse.
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jmcat
14 years ago
Sounds like flea beetles.
october17
14 years ago
Yea, does sound like flea beetles to me too. I had to stop growing eggplants due to these pesky beetles. I've never seen them on the dill though. Hope I never see them again!

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