Dr. Alan Eaton, entomologist at UNH said the following:  "nymphs of reduviids, or assassin bugs. Notice how they have thicker, stronger legs and antennae than aphids, and lack cornicles (tail pipes)  They are predators on insects and insect eggs.  I'd bet that they were chowing down, rather than "tending".  The eggs look identical in shape, placement, (and somewhat in color) to squash bug eggs, so I'd bet that it is a Coreid of some sort that laid them, but I can't guess which one would be on Eucalyptus.  There is a really large Coreid, very dark, with reddish tips on antennae, that is a general feeder I see every year.  Perhaps it is that one.  Many Coreids have stink glands, somewhat like stink bugs, and often have stinky-spice aroma.  Squash bug, boxelder bug, and western conifer seed bug are all common species in one subfamily or other of Coreidae. "

Thanks Dr. Eaton.  

What is this critter?   E-mail us your answer for a chance to win a discount card (15% off  a one time purchase).  

Our new terminology for using beneficial Good Bugs is as follows:

  We are conducting a "pre-emptive, bio-rational strike" against root rots, thrips, aphids, whitefly and fungus gnats. 

PEST CONTROL

Greenhouse | Field

At Spring Ledge we are not immune from pests. Here are some of our most common problems and their solutions.

Greenhouse
In the greenhouse, our most common insect problems are aphids, whiteflies, fungus gnats and thrips. 
We control the aphids and whiteflies most easily with good sanitation practices and the prophalactic release of beneficial insects (“good bugs”). In case of a major outbreak of aphids or whiteflies, we rely on biorational controls such as Beuvaria bassiana (Botaniguard), Endeavor, and Safer soaps. These controls are naturally occuring pesticides in a concentrated form for use in greenhouse environments. 
We control fungus gnats using preventive rates of Bt (Gnatrol) and prophilactic releases of nematodes (Steinernema feltiae & S. carpocapsae). We also control the environment by keeping algea and mold down and being careful not to over-water the plants. 
We try to control thrips with releases of beneficial mites such as Hypoaspis miles and Neofallacis cucumeris. Thrips, however, tend to outwit our efforts and we use control measures including Beuvaria bassiana (Botaniguard), Conserve SC, a biorational substance, and in extreme cases, a stronger chemical. 
Ugh…thrips! These buggers are tiny, live in the flowers and buds of plants, and cause feeding streaks on blossoms and leaves. These cosmetic problems are just the beginning. They also transmit several virus diseases. Yes, even plants can have viruses, and just like animals, there is no cure for the virus. Thrips transmit a particularly devastating pair of viruses. One is the Necrotic Impatiens Spotted Virus and the other is the Tobacco Mosaic Wilt Virus. 

Click here for a listing of what we have released in 2001.  (updated March 20).

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Field
Lets move on to field crop pests

well, geez, I guess there aren't any pests in the field, huh Tasha?

How about a picture for now...pea pickers in the field...

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