Help identify these gnats-flies that are all over my Lion's Tail shrub
jl_8btx
7 years ago
Hi,
I have about 20 different plants in containers right now sitting outside that I was getting ready to plant in the ground. 4 of these pots are Lion's Tail, and it seems these 4 have attracted a bunch of flies/gnats that are drawn to the leaves and flowers (see pictures). These critters are the size of a fat grain of rice and seem to ignore my other plants. I haven't seen any outward signs of damage yet on my Lion's Tail plants. Thanks --- John
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phoenix7801
7 years agoRelated Discussions
help with fruit flies/fungus gnats in compost
Comments (45)kimmsr, Disagree with you, simply based on experience. I used to have lots of grubs in my very moist compost before using BT. Rarely see a grub of any kind anymore, using the same methods/materials with the addition of BT. http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/pathogens/bacteria.html States: Primary hosts: caterpillars; some BEETLE and fly larvae. Also states: "Over 90 species of naturally occurring, insect-specific (entomopathogenic) bacteria have been isolated from insects, plants, and the soil, but only a few have been studied intensively". So I give credit to BT. I put some good soil in my new compost piles, which has had applications of all commercial BT strains, so I can't say which one (if any) are at work against grubs. Doesn't matter to me. So I give credit to BT, et al. - and don't have names for the other 86 or so insect-specific (entomopathogenic) bacteria spoken of, OR other such non-specific bacteria that may not have been identified yet. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2500.html : 'Grubs' is a 'generic' term, used for larvae of a large group of beetles called SCARABS. The most important species are: Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman; May or June beetles, Phyllophaga spp.; northern and southern masked chafers, Cyclocephala spp.; and black turfgrass ataenius, Ataenius spretulus (Haldeman). Other, more localized, white grub pests are: European chafer, Rhizotrogus majalis (Razoumowsky); the Asiatic garden beetle, Maladera castanea (Arrow); and the green June beetle, Cotinis nitida (Linnaeus). Option 4: Biological Control - Milky Diseases - Several strains of the bacterium, Bacillus popilliae (bacterium is extracted from Japanese beetle grubs and is most active against this species), have been found that attack white grubs...Unfortunately, recent studies in Kentucky and Ohio indicate that the currently available products have NOT PERFORMED WELL IN OUR SOILS. (caps are mine). Goes on to say that parasitic nematodes are a up to 80% effective, but "...do not appear to be effective from one season to the next". So you can take exception with me if you want to - your opinion is just as valid as mine - but now let's hear from YOU about your EXPERIENCE with grubs... Robert...See Morelittle grayish black bugs in all of my potted plants. please help
Comments (14)okay so maybe they are fungus gnats, i really looked at them close and they look like tiny mosquitoes. and they don't really fly around too much, just along the dirt and leaves. i really do think that they bite but maybe its just something else, i know that whatever it is that bites me is also very small. but actually might be smaller. i read that the fungus gnat is not only attracted to over watered dirt, but also decomposing material. one of my plants i know for a fact has a lot of wood rot on the root structure. that plant also seems to be the most infested. also it is very very very humid here so they might be finding enough moisture just from that. i am going to continue to try and let my plants dry out as much as possible, and i am throwing away the insecticide because it doesn't effect them and it is kind of harsh on some of my softer tissued plants. i might get rid of the tree that is decomposing, its a wild cherry tree i dug up last year to try and turn into a bonsai but i think its pretty much a lost cause. as for the rest of my plants. i am not only going to try and make sure my plants dry out but i am also going to try and replant all of my plants in soil that is inorganic so that the gnats have nothing to feed on, all of the soil i have now has a lot of wood in the mix. most of it is miracle grow and i think that the dirt was infected when i bought it. so i just need to spend a little more money and get a better quality soil. and just for the record all of the miracle grow soil that i have bought i have mixed in grit so that it is better draining but i don't think that is going to be enough. hopefully i can get rid of these damn bugs!!!...See MoreWhat are these small white flies - not fruit fly or fungus gnat
Comments (3)Sadly, my digital camera is busted. I was hoping the description would seem familiar to someone... guess not? If I can lay hands on a camera from a friend, I'll see if I can post an image....See MoreWhite flies in my succulents
Comments (5)Tj - I did read that in really bad cases whiteflies can lay eggs in the soil as well, but I don't know how common that is. Fungus gnats are a definite possibility, good call. Either way, the soil sounds like it's really infested so I think replacing it completely is still a good idea. Ladybanksrose - Make sure to sift the perlite (with a cheap kitchen sieve) and don't breathe in the dust. Mix in a lot of it, at least 60% or higher (depending on your conditions being hot/dry/indoors/etc.). I would skip the builder's sand unless it's really chunky grains. No need to water for many days or even a week after repotting if you put your succulent in a cool and shady place (less stressful). If the pests come back, please try and get a photo so we can help confirm what they are. Do not reuse any of the soil - just bag it and toss it. Paper towel should be good, I think that was a good choice. Not sure what plant you have, but you might even be able to put hold it upside down and dunk/rinse off all the leaf bottoms (or use Neem/insecticidal soap) without getting anything on the roots....See Morephoenix7801
7 years ago
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years agophoenix7801
7 years agoThis is what they do. Snapdragon Montego Purple and I have to cut all the blooms off because they're ugly now. Plus they pierced the leaves here and there also. I hate using pesticides but these have to go into a highly visible area at work
Vulture61
7 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years agoVulture61
7 years ago
buttoni_8b
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoVulture61
7 years ago
Mary Leek
7 years ago
dchall_san_antonio
7 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years agoMary Leek
7 years ago
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)