I have to admit that I bought this plant, and it was labelled, but the label has disappeared. I went out to take a picture of it for plant ID forum, & found shriveling flowerheads, web- like stuff on flowers & leaves. Is it wilt? Mildew? Due to the small bug trying to hide in a shadow on a leaf? Let me post pictures & see what y'all think.
Pat
Here's another picture, this time with the only visible bug. Plus it shows the different leaf colors & leaf curling. Leaves are yellowish green normally, but are now grey-green or bronzing.
Here's one flowerhead that hasn't been affected yet.
And here's the most affected flowerhead.
The critter in your second picture is a Ladybug larva - some of them are just black and white. Obviously, the damage isn't being done by Ladybugs though.
http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=lady+beetle+larva&search=Search
Thanks, claypa, for the link. I finally remembered the name of the plant: potentilla. But I'm still mystified as to what the gooey weblike stuff is. Looks like early artwork for the Alien movies!
It's finally raining here, so I'll have to wait until at least Friday before I can go take another look & take some (hopefully) better pictures.
Many thanks!
Pat
It looks a lot like some sort of spider mites.....they make that webbing and suck the juices from new tender growth. If you put a dark piece of paper under where they are and shake it you, may be able to see them move and id them then.
the webs are a dead give-away. spidermites and a really bad case of them too. it may be too late to save this for this year but a heavy washing down every day over and under the leaves with water or soapy water will work. it's the water that they can't abide. the soap will just help with the sticking power of the water. i think i would trim off the worst of it though.
Thanks to all for the bug ID. I went out this morning to see the plants with more shriveled leaves. I had given them a really hard squirt with the hose yesterday, so there were fewer webs. I think I'll cut them back hard & then spray with soapy water. Many thanks, again. These are lovely plants (& they tolerate my clay soil pretty well) so I want to keep them for the long run if I can.
Pat
