Re: CULT: Aphid control (long-sorry)

Well, I have been lurking here for some time, and being relatively new to the iris world. I have not felt a need to speak up before now, but as an entomologist, when the subject turns to aphids, I feel I should speak up.

There are hundreds, no thousands, of species of aphids, and some amazing diversity in form and natural history. Robin's pests are most certainly aphids. Aphids in general have a simple plan for life, to feed and reproduce. Most of the time they do not even bother with moving from plant to plant or having sex. Almost all aphids you see are female and give birth to live young without mating. They are born pregnant. Entomologists call this telescoping generations, gardens call it a pain in the....
When there are so many aphids on a plant that it begins to decline in vigor, or the season comes to an end, some aphids will develop wings to fly off and seek out new hosts. In cold climates there may be a sexual generation in the fall and eggs laid to survive the winter.

I think there are some safe and effective ways to deal with aphids. Some people have mentioned the water and or soapy water, and that will work with some dedication to repeated use. The disulfoton that is in the 2 in 1 fertilizer and insecticide granular formulations is OK for outdoors, but I would NOT use it inside. Plus, there is a better and safer alternative now available that will work for all aphids and for mealybugs and whiteflies too. It is an insecticide called imidacloprid and it can be found in a product called "Bayer Advanced: Tree and Shrub Insect Control." It is a systemic and is designed to be mixed with water and applied to plants as a drench. It is much safer to humans and the environment than DiSyston (disulfoton) and more effective and longer lasting. It is the same active ingredient in Marathon and Merit for those who have used one of these. The rate directions may be a little hard to adapt for irises, but the material is not phytotoxic and is forgiving of overdoses.

Bill
in Coastal California near Monterey
Zone 9

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