Re: Curling oleander leaves
Marina & Anthony Green wrote:
>
> In Italy we get a bright yellow aphid which has a similar effect on the plants, probably due to
> removal of the lymph in the leaves. Quite how they survive on such a diet is a mystery to me, but it
> occurs to me that reserach into it could even lead to an antidote to oleander poisoning.
> This sort of infestation usually occurs in Italy when the oleanders are pruned too late on in the
> season. When did you prune yours (if you did?) Damien?
>
Hi Damian
This seems to be a very likely answer to your oleander problem. If such
aphids are actually present on your plants they could probably be
removed without any chemical spraying by a strong water jet from a hose
or otherwise with a soapy solution.
And Anthony, while it does seem somewhat surprising to find an insect
feeding on something as poisonous as an Oleaander, things which are
toxic to warm blooded creatures can sometimes be safe for cold-blooded
sorts (or vice versa).
Or these aphids might be like Monarch caterpillars and have become
specially adapted to absorb the poison from their food plant without
being harmed.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate
