Re: Re(2) Re:Stink Bugs was Ripe Tomatoes Was: Ripe oranges
Janet wrote:
> I have
>researched them on sites that I can find, but although they exist in the UK
>they are not a pest there and I cannot find an organic method of control
>from any other site.
Ahem, slight correction here Janet - they can be a terrible pest here
and do immense damage in some years. We call them Capsid bugs here
and they have long been the scourge of orchards throughout the
country. They cause varying degrees of disfigurement to apples,
pears, plums, cucumber, melons, courgettes marrows and almost any
other fruit you care to mention. They happily ruin both outdoor and
indoor tomatoes and the terrible mess they can make of large leaved
plants is extremely irksome. Unfortunately the parasitic wasp is not
available here and I'm forced to resort to dimethoate.
This year in particular has been terrible for them with literally
thousands infesting every plant. Even worse is the great risk of virus
being spread from outside sources. The damned things even bite -
several times I've had one land on my arm and have it mistaken for a
leaf! Its a sharp stabbing twinge I could well do without.
Dave Poole
TORQUAY UK
