No Subject
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- From: b*@tiger.hsc.edu
- Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 12:21:36 -0700 (MST)
> Has anyone tried to cover [with that lightweight white plant
>covering fabric??] iris during the time the moth lays eggs on plants?
> Do I remember she does this in August? Vegetable gardeners do this.
>If adult moths have low mobility they must be feeding on other
>things while waiting for new gardeners to plant irises....
> Virginia Lassiter zone 7/8 middle Georgia
The feeding of the adult moths, if they feed at all, probably has nothing
to do with irises. Typically, if adult noctuid moths feed, they do so at
flowers, obtaining nectar. I doubt that many gardeners would be willing to
cover their entire plantings for the 2-3 month period that the moth lays
eggs. It would look awful and would not be good for the irises, which need
that sunlight. Also, remember that the moths emerge from the ground up,
which would trap them under the cloth, with the irises. If the moths reach
new egglaying sites by crawling (I've never seen one even attempt to fly),
the cover would be ineffective.
Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@hsc.edu>
