Re: LEAF HOLES
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: LEAF HOLES
- From: R* T* D* <r*@sierratel.com>
- Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 21:58:04 -0600 (MDT)
Jeff and Carolyn Walters wrote:
>
> Bill Shear writes (27 May 97):
>
> > A possible culprit for the leaf holes are leaf-cutter bees. These small
> > bees nest in holes in dead trees, etc., which they provision with neatly
> > circular pieces of fresh, soft leaf to feed their larvae. Here they
> mostly
> > attack Epimedium (curiously, just one variety), making the leaves look
> like
> > Swiss cheese. Aside from the fact that it looks bizarre, they do no harm
> > and in fact are pollinators for many native plants (the adults feed on
> > nectar).
>
> Interesting! In these parts the leaf cutter bees cut semicircular pieces
> out of the margins of leaves and by the latter part of summer the leaves of
> their favorite plants, lilacs and peonies, have completely scalloped edges.
>
Jeff,
Could this be the culprit that has been chewing our Western Redbud
leaves? We have been blaming grasshoppers all these years.
Rick Tasco
Superstition Iris Gardens
Central California
Zone 8
