We have swallowtails...have never seen one in my garden, nor do I know if they use the citrus trees. The only critters other than aphids I've ever seen on my citrus are the Sunbirds. And I love my sunbirds, so I really really don't want to use systemic if I can find something else that will work on those aphids. But now that the aphid wave has passed, my trees are clean (or aphids and chemicals) so the Sunbirds are okay :-).
-Julie
Please explain...
Julie - I am going to find that info for you, dont give up on me. It is now a challenge and I like challenges.
konkrete~
I believe! I do believe!
I installed those passifloras just FOR the cats. Maybe i would think differently IF they went after something I planted for my DDW. But hang in there -- final results will be in when I return to FL.
LOL, I wouldn't dare give up on you. :-)
salvia~
Julie;
I am truly honored by the faith -- and trust -- that you have shown in me.
Be assured -- I will not disappoint you.
Brad, I know you're a softy at heart ;-). I'm truly sorry to tell you though that I was replying to slgrowers above who asked me not to give up on him....in his search for info for me and my aphids. Besides, why would I have a need to give up on you? Are you failing at something you haven't told me about? :-) You are living proof that an old dog CAN learn new tricks. Look at how you've turned around from a caterpillar hater to a caterpillar hugger :-). Now we just have to work on your feelings about Bambi ;-)
-Julie
Julie:
Woof, woof. Arff, arff. But I don't know anything about learning new tricks. I'd just be happy to remember the old ones.
The only failing to which I will admit, is taking the "overheads" in doubles, on the tennis court. I have been consistently yelling "Yours" for years, but, now, with rotator problems, I have no choice. At least I can still let it bounce and drive it.
Anyhow -- good luck on your aphids.
And, another "anyhow". Anyhow, where's Liila. Did we really drive her away?
See, you're a better man than me....I can't even get the ball over the net. Tennis is definitely not my game. Any sport that requires more than a pair of sneakers as 'equipment' isn't for me ROTFL
I hope we didn't scare Liila away. That would be a real shame....
-Julie
Julie: Blame your father -- and your mother.
Liila -- where are you?
It wasn't "we." It was my idiotic 'scram' that did it! I tried to apoligize but, am not very good at making amends. :-(
Big Hugs John! We all love you :-)
I know that, Julie but, I feel very bad about treating her(?) that way. You know me better than she does.
Water under the bridge. :-) You tried to apologize, nothing else you can do if the hand extended isn't accepted....
I agree...and I think John's reply was just because of the harshness of the reply above it. Things just get misunderstood sometimes.
Julie - Do either of these photo's look like the aphids attacking your Citrus?
or this
Julie - Cannot find any info about specific ladybeetles and parasitic wasps that are indigenous to Isreal. It would seem from info I have read that Lysiphlebus testaceipes does live in your country so it should be available for purchase there as a biological weapon. It is the wasp I use along with ladybeetle larvae to combat aphids and other soft bodied pests here. I believe it is even mentioned in that link you provided earlier as a biological control in California as well. I wouldnt know if possible, but I would attempt to order from a bio control company and see if they will ship the wasps and ladybeetle larvae to you. If they wont - well there are other ways. lol
Here is a link to a supplier I use for organic pest control. The pirate bug is indigenous to your country and is very effective.
http://store.arbico-organics.com/
Thanks for all the reserach. Unfortunately, those aphids don't look like the aphids on my citrus.
The problem isn't wanting or not wanting to purchase biological controls....they just are NOT for sale here. I've tried and tried and tried. I've even called some people who grow flowers for a living....it's just not possible to buy these things here. So there's no way to control getting ladybugs, mantis, butterflies, parasitic wasps etc into ones garden. If they come, great, if not....oh well. I'm certain that large companies can purchase permits for importing organic pest control so long as the species are indigenous to Israel. I would never be able to afford such a permit or get through the red tape as a private gardener.
But I keep asking and searching. Hopefully, eventually, ladybug larvae and mantid larvae will become available to private gardeners here too. Until then, I wait.
KKB, back to your question above, I did find out that our Swallowtails) the one you liked in the other thread) does use the citrus trees. Now.....just to get them to discover all the citrus trees we have in our garden! LOL
-Julie
Julie - give me your addy and I will send you some, uh, glassware - yeah thats it, glassware. ;-) I understand your dilemna. Perhaps they will be permitted to ship you some of the organic sprays they have? Just a thought.
Either way you have to protect your trees next year = good luck.
Wouldn't having Old World Swallowtails eating your leaves be SO much better than aphids!?! :))
sl- you're very sweet :-). But as tempting as it is, I really can't accept anything that isn't allowed by law. There are so many reasons why not, so I'll just reluctantly have to say I can't. But I truly do appreciate your consideration and generosity - in time and friendship :-) That site is really wonderful and I will be contacting them to see if they can ship to Israel. I'd love to get my hands on those mosquito dunks too!
KKB, hey, I'd be happy to give the swallowtails a tree to chew up. That would definitely be worth a munched up leafless tree :-) If you see any, be sure to tell them I've extended them an open invitation for them and all their relatives :-)
-Julie
Julie;
Enter your Latitude and Longitude. They use GPS and might get lost otherwise. It worked for me in Florida -- and I left them munching my passiflora bushes.
:-)....hopefully when you get back home you'll find lots of butterflies thanking you for the yummy room and board :-)
Yes -- so long as I did not, also, attract termites, which could have eaten me out of HOUSE and BOARDS.