Oak moths cause visible damage to oak trees through the west. They are tan or gray with a 1″ wingspan and noticeable veining on their wings. They are attracted only to oak trees, chewing leaves, making holes, and eventually defoliating branches. Infestations cannot be prevented. Kill larger caterpillars by spraying them with Bayer Tree and Shrub.
Thrips scrape openings in plant tissue to feed on plant juices and lay their eggs inside. These minute cuts cause silvery flecks on foliage and silver or brown blemishes on flowers and buds. They chew and suck plants vigorously scraping away the chlorophyl on leaves where they feed. Thrips look … Read More
Snails have shells, they travel by extending the length of their bodies along a patch of slippery, silvery slime. They eat any and all garden plants leaving large ragged holes in leaves. They feed at night or on overcast or rainy days, hiding under cover when the sun shines. Eliminate … Read More
Slugs thrive in moist, shady sites. They often hide under foliage rosettes for protection from drying sunlight. Silvery trails along the ground and on leaves are signs of their presence. They can decimate plants in a short time. Hand pick them to protect plants from looking ragged. Snail bait can … Read More
Psyllids are small winged insects called jumping plant lice. They are greenish or brownish and no more than 1/10″ long. They have antennae and clear wings that fold into a triangular shape and jump up when disturbed. They target acacia, boxwood, eucalyptus, laurel, magnolia, and pear trees. They will suck … Read More
Colorado potato beetles are bright yellow with 5 bold brown stripes along the length of its body. Found in southwestern states, they are a pest of potato crops as well as tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers. They become active in May and will lay eggs as soon as a host plant … Read More
This 2″ long, brightly colored caterpillar with a pair of orange horns, morphs into a large black and yellow swallowtail butterfly. It gets its name, because it is usually found on garden parsley. It feeds on carrots and related plants such as anise, celery, cilantro, dill, fennel, and queen anne’s … Read More
Leaf rollers are caterpillars that feed on leaves, shoots, and fruit. Larvae roll themselves up inside leaves, sometimes spinning a web to join fruit and leaves together. Other pests and fungal rots later enter the holes that leaf rollers chew in fruit. Treatment: Thuricide
Leaf roller larvae will roll themselves up inside leaves, spinning a web to join leaves together. Other pests and fungal rots later enter the holes that leaf rollers chew. Treat with Thuricide.
Sporadic sightings have occured in western states. The body is 1/2″ long, has a distinctive metallic green sheen, and wing covers are copper colored. Larvae that live in the soil are white, C-shaped grubs. Adults feed on flowers and foliage during the day. They can fly as far as 5 … Read More
These insects are shiny black. They can fly, but prefer to crawl. Beetles live in burrows in the soil, emerging to hunt and feed at night on other insects, caterpillars, soil maggots and grubs. Some larger species eat snails and slugs. They do not damage plants. No prevention is needed.
These 1/2″ long winged insects with enlarged hind legs can be brown, green or yellow. Although they chew grass, they are usually not a problem, but in large numbers can strip plants right to the ground. They can be controlled with insecticide.