Something is eating my plants

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
fred_nupel Shingle Springs, CA May 15, 2013

Its like the leaves are getting holes and then dissolving, leaving only the stem. Its devastating my potatoes but also bothering my black beans and a few other plants.

Thumbnail by fred_nupel Thumbnail by fred_nupel Thumbnail by fred_nupel Thumbnail by fred_nupel
Post #9521227
Quote
themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) May 15, 2013

Perhaps blister beetles or flea beetles....I don't think the Colorado potato beetle has been found in California. Below is a link for the UC cooperative extension service in your area. They can give you both ID and advice

http://local.redding.com/cooperative+extension+service+university+of+california.9.1060003p.home.html

Post #9521526
Quote
fred_nupel Shingle Springs, CA May 15, 2013

I'll look into that thank you.

The problem is I have been out in the garden at different times of the day and night and have never found any insects on the plants.

Post #9522125
Quote
JoParrott Richland, WA(Zone 7b) May 15, 2013

It could be earwigs- they cause raggedy damage like the photos, and they can rapidly skeletonize a plant. They are such fast movers and are nocturnal, so they are really hard to find. If you have wet debris, boards, papers, etc they hide under such stuff. I found them terribly active in my first garden here in WA- in the south I never knew of them. A Google search will give you some help to eradicate them.

Post #9522244
Quote
themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) May 16, 2013

You are most welcome Fred. Good luck...hope you get things back under control.

Jo, thanks for throwing in earwigs...they can be horribly rude...but I forget about them as they aren't really a problem here in La.

Post #9522572
Quote
JoParrott Richland, WA(Zone 7b) May 16, 2013

themoonhowl, I agree- when I lived in Bossier City LA, I had never heard of earwigs! But we sure have them up here.

Post #9522585
Quote
themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) May 16, 2013

Hey Jo....I know they are around, I have seen them, but they just don't seem interested in eating the garden...thank goodness. Same with iris borers....they seem to be a real problem up North.

Moon

Post #9522606
Quote
Wustenfuchs Modesto, CA(Zone 9a) May 23, 2013

Earwigs were wreaking havoc on my garden this year (same as last year) but I'm beginning to get them under control. Tuna cans half full of vegetable oil make great traps. I also go out 2 or 3 times a night to get them in the act of munching my peppers and beans.

Good luck with your 2013 garden!

Bill

This message was edited May 22, 2013 11:14 PM

Post #9530679
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Garden Pests and Diseases Threads

Go to all Garden Pests and Diseases threads
BACK TO TOP