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Re: Bug ID, please

Hi Lisa,

> Well, it _seems_ to be one of those hard-shelled things, but I'm basing that
> on pure observation.  I still don't have the guts to go touch one...due to the
> spikes all over it...  They _look_ like they're sucking on the plant stem.
> They haven't been on any leaves that I've seen... In fact, the leaves all look
> perfect, to me...

Okay, that helps.  Poppy suggestion that they might be keel-backed treehopper
nymph is a good one.  I checked out my insect ID books and while they didn't
list the exact same species as she mentioned they did describe the nymph of
the Buffalo Treehopper as spined.  The adults have a stripe down the side,
no visible antenae and the six legs are quite prominent.  Wings are tucked
on the sides of the body.  The Buffalo Treehopper is so named as it's back
is like a hump, rising high about it's head.  They are distributed throughout
north america and will feed on tomatoes, potatoes and fruit trees, which they
suck sap from.  There are likely several similar species, you may have one of
these.  For organic controls my book suggests dusting with diatomaceous earth.
For fruit trees an early spring application of dormant oil is suggested to kill
the overwintering eggs that are laid in the bark.  If you could check out
treehoppers in an insect id book at your local library or bookstore you might
recognise it as one of these.

> Okay, say I go the hand-picking route... where do I put those critters after
> I've plucked them off my plants?  Do I need a bucket of soapy water, say?

Yes, that would be good.  You can wear rubber gloves if you don't want to touch
them.

> Compost, you say?  Can you add that stuff any time?

Absolutely.  It is the stuff great gardens are made of!  Just topdress it right
on the bed around your plants. Everytime you water you will be making dilute
compost tea for your plants.  The worms will feed on it and multiply, as will
other soil denizens.  Topdressing and minimal cultivation mimic nature, which
lays dead matter on the surface of the soil for worms and microrganisms to break
down, releasing nutrients.  Oh, getting off on a tangent here. ;-)

> You guys have been GREAT! :)  There is SO much good info that flows on this
> list...  I sure wish I could know as much as you guys do... I have a feeling
> that it'll take me longer to figure gardening out than it took me to figure
> out how to make soap! :)  Thanks for sharing with me!

> Lisa Lisa

Yeah, I really enjoy sqft and ogl too, they're great mailing lists full of
excellent info and ideas.  Gardening is so fun to learn and share about too,
it's almost infectious.  :-)  In my opinion, one of the best things about it is
that it is open ended, no matter how long you've been gardening there is always
more amazing stuff to learn about so it never becomes boring, always enjoyable
and awe inspiring.  It seems there is always a deeper level that beckons you to
look closer and smaller, where new connections and interrelationships reveal
themselves.  I'm grateful for this forum, to be able to learn from others
experiences, there are new gems every day.

You're welcome and good luck with your tomatoes!

Cheers!

--
 Bob Carter  -  bcarter@awinc.com
 Kootenay Bay, BC, Canada  -  Zone 6b
--

Vini, vidi, da Vinci - I came, I saw, I painted.

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