CLOSED: PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE HELP!

There is a bug attacking my window box Impatiens. I can't even get a picture of it, it's so small. It's NOT a spider mite, I am certain of this- there's no webbing on the plant. I do have experience with those hateful creatures already and know enough to accept that once you have them, you're SOL....I'm hoping it's not the same with this new pest.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand- NOT a spider mite and way too small to photograph. It's causing the leaves to curl up into half moon shapes, but also is attacking the buds. It seems like this is a sucking bug, as opposed to an eating bug, although some leaves also seem to have holes in them that are NOT cut outs, but rather are perfectly round spots where the chlorophyl has been removed, leaving just a thin section of the leaf that can only be seen when the sunlight shines through it. Also, the edges and the very tips of the leaves turn brown- but the half moon curling is the biggest problem, and eventually the leaves fall off, as do the buds. Also, I noticed today that they seem to be congregating on the buds, yet the leaves are showing the most damage (except when the buds keep being aborted because they shrivel up).

I *AM* able to see the pests if I look VERY closely- they are definitely some type of free-moving/crawling bug. It looks like a tiny black pinpoint speck, like poppy seeds that move. All black- but then again, it's too small for me to make out any features anyway....

PLEASE HELP ME, I've had these plants for so long and was so happy when they finally started blooming.

THANKS!

Also, just realized in addition I also saw one Thrip. It looked different than the moving black specks- long and thin, but I saw him!

Since you have eliminated spider mites, that is a big relief. They are very hard to deal with. I am temporarily eliminating aphids, based on the small size of your pests. That leaves thrips as a possible suspect. The mere fact that you saw an adult thrips doesn't eliminate them as the villain. The younger forms of thrips are almost microscopic, and you really need a strong hand lens to see them. Young aphids are also quite small, and many are dark colored, so aphids are a possibility.

Since both of these are sucking insects, I would recommend a systemic insecticide. Probably something containing Imidacloprid. Imidacloprid will control both aphids and thrips, but has no appreciable effect on spider mites. Let's hope that you are right that they aren't spider mites.

To control sucking insects (mites aren't insects, because mites have eight legs and insects have six), I apply Imidacloprid diluted in a drench (not a spray) to my indoor zinnias. It is taken up by the plant roots and makes the sap of the plant poisonous to any sucking insect that tries to use the plant as a food source. Obviously, don't use a systemic insecticide on any edible plant.

ZM

This message was edited Apr 15, 2012 12:13 PM

Thanks, you know what? I took a reeeal close look and just saw more than one adult Thrip....I should have known....Where's there's smoke, there's fire.....I will try insecticidal soap. Ugh, I HATE BUGS.

This message was edited Apr 15, 2012 2:21 PM

If the insecticidal soap works, fine. There are stronger measures, including the Imidacloprid that I mentioned. If you read all the way to the bottom of the article in this link, you will see that they recommend a product containing Imidacloprid.

http://www.bugspray.com/article/thrips.html

I have used a product called Bayer All-In-One Rose and Flower Spray that contains Imidacloprid for insects, as well as a disease control ingredient (Tebuconazole) and soluble fertilizer.

ZM

Thanks again, Zen_Man- Unsurprisingly, the Insecticidal Soap is not working....

But, at least you now have clean insects. (grin)

ZM

Too early to laugh, my friend. Too early to laugh :-(