We've spent a lot of time and effort planting seeds and nurturing young plants, and then these pests come and eat everything we've grown. However, there is also good news. Most of these insects have been around for decades, so there are proven methods to keep them away from your plants. First of all, you have to figure out what type of pest you are dealing with. If your plants are attacked, you should use pesticides as little as possible. In addition to endangering human health, toxic insecticides eliminate the predatory insects that help keep pest populations in check. Below we will tell you how you can identify the most common pests in the garden. This knowledge is crucial for both novice and experienced gardeners and will ensure a healthy, productive harvest at the end of the season.
Identify pests in the garden – beetles
This is one of the most common beetles to eat your plants in June.
The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)
Although the Colorado potato beetle (or Colorado beetle) eats almost everything, it particularly likes nightshades, which is why potatoes are often the most affected by this pest. These beetles are easy to recognize due to their rounded bodies and bright orange-black stripes. The females are very prolific breeders, laying between 20 and 60 eggs at a time. Most of the damage to potatoes and other nightshades (peppers, eggplants and tomatoes) is caused by the larvae, small orange insects with a black head and rows of black dots on the sides. They feed very quickly and over time can cause complete defoliation of the plant.
Once the larvae hatch, the damage to a plant can be devastating. Because they have developed resistance to chemical and biological control methods, adult beetles are notoriously difficult to eradicate. Therefore, vigilance and speed are your strongest weapons against the Colorado potato beetle.
Here you can find the other important beetle species that fly in your garden in June.
Detect pests in the month of June – caterpillars
Recognize the caterpillars in your garden with these pictures!
Caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae)
Caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly are about 2 - 3 cm long, pale green and have a thin, yellow stripe along their back. Adults have up to four black spots on their otherwise white wings.
To feed, the caterpillars gnaw holes in the leaves of kale, kohlrabi, radishes, arugula, radishes and other leafy vegetables. They are notoriously difficult to catch in time to prevent damage to valuable crops such as broccoli and brassicas. It takes careful inspection of plant leaves to find these small, green caterpillars once they hatch from their eggs. Put up some birdhouses to keep the pests away.
Caterpillars of the lesser frost moth (Operophtera brumata)
The caterpillars of the small frost moth gnaw holes in the leaves, flowers and new growth - attacks of this magnitude can damage young trees. Damage to fruit trees can reduce yields and reduce quality.
The term “frost moth” is used for a variety of species in which the adult butterflies hatch and lay eggs between November and April. The female butterflies of this species hatch from pupae in the ground, climb tree trunks and lay their eggs on the tips of branches. The caterpillars of these butterflies emerge in spring when the buds open and feed on the leaves of deciduous trees and shrubs as well as on almost all types of tree fruits. The most common hosts are apple, pear, plum and cherry trees. In addition to oak, beech, hawthorn, roses, hazelnut and elm, many other attractive trees also serve as hosts.
Identify pests in the garden – boxwood moth caterpillars (Cydalima perspectalis)
If you have problems with your boxwood trees, it is very likely that the plants have been attacked by the boxwood moth caterpillars.
The original home of these caterpillars is East Asia. When gardeners find webs and caterpillars on box trees, this is an indication of the box tree borer.
When they hatch, the caterpillars are greenish-yellow and their heads are black. Older caterpillars, which can grow up to 4 cm long, have a greenish-yellow body and are striped with strong black and thin white bands.The caterpillarsfeed on boxwood leaves and build a web for themselves. Spots of death can appear on the plants, especially those that have been freshly cut. The caterpillars can also peel the bark from trees, causing them to branch.
Recognize plant lice
These plant lice invade your garden in June.
aphids (Aphidoidea)
These small pests are at the top of the list because they are ubiquitous and often cause problems in gardens. Aphids are tiny bugs that feed on plant sap by sucking it from leaves and stems. The honeydew, a delicious, sticky substance they secrete, not only attracts ants but also promotes fungal diseases.Aphids areCarriers of diseases and spread them while they feed on the plants. Honeydew, leaf wilt, leaf yellowing and black, sooty fungal residue are all symptoms of aphid infestation. You can often find the pest on roses, chard, elderberries, chili plants, melons, beans, potatoes, etc
Common pests – scale insects (Coccoidea)
Scale insects are something you have seen many times without realizing it. These insects are experts at camouflage, able to camouflage themselves using tiny body structures that resemble the natural components of the plants they eat. Scale insects often appear as growths or bumps on the leaves or other non-woody parts of a plant. They share a common ancestor with mealybugs and aphids, but their hard exoskeleton gives them an advantage. The larvae are tiny, soft, crawling insects with thread-like mouthparts. The adult females look like hard or soft lumps on stems, leaves or fruits, and the males are tiny, flying insects.Scale insects arewidespread throughout Europe and can be found on a variety of fruits, houseplants, shrubs and trees. The scale insects can cause yellowing, leaf drop and possibly death of the affected plants. Honeydew is another secretion that ends up on the fruits and plants.
Successfully identify pests – mealybugs (Pseudococcidae)
Mealybugs (also called mealybugs) are closely related to aphids, but have a waxy outer covering and feed in a similar manner. However, the waxy outer shell gives the mealybugs a fluffy rather than soft appearance. Both house and garden plants are susceptible to the stunted growth, wilting and yellowing caused by mealybugs.
Recognizing Black Flies – Thrips (Thysanoptera)
The insects that feed on plant juices can disfigure and discolor virtually all types of plants.They causesometimes white spots on leaves and petals and leave behind microscopic black particles of feces. These pests are often found on plants –Orchids, gerberas, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, among others
Whitefly (Aleyrodoidea) determine
The whitefly, an insect with triangular wings, can hide in the cracks of leaves in your garden. You will recognize them when you startle them - they then rise in a white cloud. Tomatoes are the favorite target of these garden pests, but they can also be found on peppers, citrus fruits and other similar plants. They feed on plant juices and cause leaf damage. Whiteflies are known to transmit diseases and make plants more susceptible to a number of other problems. Therefore, it is important to eliminate an infestation as quickly as possible before the effects become unbearable. To get rid of whitefly, release ladybugs.
spider mites (Tetranychidae)
Spider mites are invisible to the human eye, but their fine webs reveal their presence. The leaves may become discolored, streaky, and fall off the plant if the pests are not eliminated. Spider mites are small arachnids that feed on young, sensitive plant tissue (e.g. beans, cucumbers, potatoes and roses) and leave a fine web behind. Sometimes you can see them, but often they are too small to distinguish from the background (some are no larger than a dot on a piece of paper). They pose little threat to humans, but can cause serious damage to gardens if their populations explode.
