aphids on milkweed?
Andrew Darland
4 years ago
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Comments (8)
MissSherry
4 years agoSam CO z5
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Aphid control thread
Comments (6)Linda, Both Ladybug and Lacewing larvae will eat butterfly larvae (caterpillars) and eggs. Adult Laceewings won't eat the butterfly larvae/eggs, though. The larval form of both are the more voracious. :) To control the !@#$% Oleander Aphid on the Milkweeds in my garden I use my garden hose and spray the heck out of them. It looks like I am 'washing' my plants. This is how I also water the plants (the adage, "kill two birds with one stone"). I prefer not to use anything ON the plants since I do feed so many critters. I do allow Ladybugs and Lacewings to hang out in the garden and if they do get some eggs/larvae from the butterflies, well, then that's life. It just means I wasn't fast enough in doing my collecting!...See MoreMother Nature's Assassin
Comments (15)Mona, you're right about the number of predators, but all numbers are up this year and I wonder if is because of the early onset of summer in Oklahoma in mid-May. Seems we are overrun with almost everything. Right now, I'm fighting milkweed beetles in the garden, and just when I think I'm on top of that situation, more appear. Grrrr. At this rate, I'm wondering if I will get any seeds at all. Wasps are just too numerous, as well as grasshoppers, praying mantids, aphids, spider mites, and all sorts of flying things I've never seen before, too. Susan...See MoreAphid Infested Milkweed....yum!
Comments (3)When I'm looking for eggs I patrol the milkweed for bugs. They all get the big squish, except lady bugs which I move somewhere else. When I find a little colony of aphids starting I just rub them off. Aphids attract ants, which could possibly prey on the larvae. Also they do suck some juices out of the leaves and can degrade the quality of the foliage. At the same time I remove yellowing or wilted leaves or tips. Sometimes at night I patrol for slugs with a spray bottle with an ammonia solution. Patrolling the milkweed is tedious but it does seem to help keep the foliage nice and it's no doubt safer for eggs or small cats. If I had huge patches it would be harder to monitor....See MoreLadybug Information
Comments (4)Yes, we do know that Ladybird beetles eat caterpillars AND butterfly eggs. Praying mantids eat butterflies and caterpillars as well. I raise both but only keep the mantids out in the front yard with the roses. Mantids are an interesting creature as they will patrol a designated area and rarely stray outside of that particular area. If you raise butterflies and don't want your Ladybugs to eat 'em (the early instar larvae and eggs) then you must be very diligent in collecting them! It's definitely a catch-22...I use a strong spray of water to hose off the !@#$% Oleander Aphids. I used to purchase loads of Ladybird Beetles. Now I have a bunch that like to breed right in my garden so I don't have to do anything! There's plenty for them to munch and I rarely worry about the butterfly eggs/early instars since I collect them. And, if the Ladybugs get to them first, well, then so be it! For me, this summer the !@#$% Milkweed Bugs (both large and small) were more of a pest...I actually completely tore up an entire Milkweed patch because of them. Grrr......See Moremblan13
4 years agojaviwa
4 years agoJay 6a Chicago
4 years agolennon2
4 years agoMissSherry
4 years ago
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