Re: Japanese beetles & Wheel Bugs

Bill, now that you mention it, I don't know that the JB's were eating my
asparagus either, but they are easy to knock off there.  That wheel bug was
the first I have ever seen--he's huge and apparently has quite a painful
bite should anyone be rash enough to handle him.  I am an organic gardener,
and last summer was my fifth year at this place.  The vegetable garden is
surrounded on two sides by perennials and shrubs, and last year an
incredible range of beneficial insects (not to mention birds and
butterflies) hit critical mass--five or six types of bees and wasps (one 3-4
inch wasp I have yet to identify), many ladybugs, assassin bugs, soldier
beetles, etc.  I had very few insect problems, and I think that is the
ultimate goal an organic garden.  Not just spray, spray, spray with
organics, but a rich and healthy balance that keeps the bad guys in check.
Standing in the garden was a remarkable experience.  The insects hummed and

buzzed and zoomed, and you could feel the life of the garden.
Merri Morgan
Zone 5b, WV
----- Original Message -----
From: <Blee811@aol.com>
To: <perennials@hort.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 5:23 PM
Subject: Re: Japanese beetles & Wheel Bugs


>
> In a message dated 1/9/03 4:21:10 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> mmorgan@wcgnet.net writes:
>
>
> > Last summer I had the worst JB infestation ever here, quite heavy on the
> > asparagus ferns.  But I also saw for the first time in my life a wheel
bug,
> > the largest of the assassin bugs.  And he spent the summer moving up and
> > down the asparagus bed eating Japanese Beetles!
>
>
> Merri, can you breed this wheel bug and ship me some--LOL!  The JBs like
to
> perch in my asparagus patch too--when I go out to handpick the JBs I
always
> look there first. I haven't particularly noticed whether they are actually
> eating the asparagus foliage, though; I thought they were just sunning
and/or
> cruising for mates. After the asparagus, the roses and crepe myrtles are
> their favorite meal spots. Sometimes they sit on the wasted flowers of
> liatrus as well.
> Bill Lee
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
> message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index