margieB
In a message dated 4/8/2012 5:46:21 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
billchaney@ymail.com writes:
Scarlett,
I am a retired entomologist, turned iris breeder, and I spent a 20
year career trying to find ways to control aphids. There are a number of
biological controls that can be effective, but for any biological control to
work, a population of aphids must be tolerated before the control works.
Ladybugs and green lacewings are your best bets for biological controls
that can be purchased, but naturally occurring populations of beneficial
insects are always best, but somewhat unreliable.
The good news is that there is an effective insecticide on the market
that is much safer that disyston. The product is imidacloprid.
Look for it in the active ingredient list. It is systemic and quite
effective on aphids. Always read and follow label directions, but I have used
it with great success.
Bill
From: "sdayres2@aol.com"
<sdayres2@aol.com>
To:
iris-photos@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, April 8, 2012 9:54
AM
Subject: Re: [iris-photos]
Is this iris nutrient deficient?
Dana:
Yes I do have aphids. Would they prefer one variety over the other
Arilbreds around them? Question is what to use to get rid of the
critters. Soapy water doesn't get into the crevices. You can buy
ladybugs. But the first thing they will do is exercise their wings and
fly away. Anybody know anyway to keep the ladybug critters in the
yard? You can buy preying mantis eggs. But they are cannibalistic
and the first ones out will fatten themselves on the siblings. I
don't know how to break apart the eggs from each other without damaging the
eggs. Anyone try green lacewings?
I miss Disyston (spelling), but that has now been outlawed.
Anyway, I am trying to encourage the beneficial bugs.
Scarlett
In a message dated 4/8/2012 9:03:26 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time,
ddbro@sbcglobal.net writes:
I have seen this
type of damage with aphids and aphids love arilbreds!
Home
of:
Irongate's Racy
Tracy
Irongate's Kisses
In The Wind
Merrimac's Amarula
CGC TDI
CH. Merrimac the
Agean CDX, RE, CGC, TDI
