dilemma,another tale of woe
Well,folks I'm back with another dilemma,which I hope you might help me
with.....
My ornamental grasses are being attacked by a beetle by the name of
'Cereal Leaf Beetle'(Oulema melanopus) .Native to Europe and discovered
here in '62, in Mich.it now has made its way south to at least Virginia
and now the West.
Being bounded on two sides of the property by wheat fields has brought
this culprit into my garden..
This is agricultural area (although shrinking drastically due to 'bedroom
community sprawl)(never thought I'd be glad about that)growing
,wheat,corn barley etc.All of which this insect prefer and thrive
on..Currently they really love the Phalaris'and have shredded them
badly(they etch the chorophyll off the leaf surface in straight line the
entire lenghth of each leaf until removed entirely and then move onto the
next leaf)..All others have some damage and dont want to wait to see how
far it will go.Most likely wont kill them outright but weaken them and
certainly not attractive....Sadly up til now O.grasses have been
virtually pest free here.
I have studied it closely on the web and dont feel very encouraged as
long as I am so closely bounded by said fields ..For those of you in the
city or urban areas probably not too much to worry about,but if your in
the country near cereal crops thought you might want to be aware of this
cursed critter......If anyone has first hand knowledge of dealing with
them please share as I am seeking all the info I can gather.Sorry to
'bend your ear'at length and so frequently.But this has got me worried.
Any thoughts,info ?
Connie
