Re: Insects
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Insects
- From: G* O*
- Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 07:30:31 -0400
Bobbi,
I have had problems on my native azaleas (also the Exburies) with an insect
called the Japanese root weevil. The larvae live in the soil and feed on
the roots of azaleas and other plants. The adults are about an eigth of an
inch long, clealy weevil-like, medium grey in color. The do prefer young
growth, but will also feed on mature foliage (which in natives tend to be
soft and succulent). They eat crescent-shaped holes from the outside of the
leaf in, and will indeed defoliate a young plant quickly. I have never seen
them on my evergreen azaleas or Rhodies, which have tougher leaves.
If you inspect the plant during the day without disturbing it, you can find
them on the underside of the leaves or hanging out in the twig crotches.
Their defense mechanism is to drop to the ground when disturbed, so if you
are into hand picking, either hold yoiur hand under them, or gently spread
a piece of cloth under the plant and shake it (the plant).
They are endemic with me, always present in low numbers, occasionally
having a population explosion and doing some major damage. I've never lost
a plant completely, though. Sometimes they refoliate the same year and if
it's late enough that next years buds have formed they leaf out normally
the next spring. I imagine systemic insecticides will take care of the
adults, but it is the soil larvae which do the real damage, and can eat
enough roots to cause the plant to die during dry periods.
Gerry
At 02:59 PM 5/22/00 -0500, you wrote:
>I have two azaleas (an exbury and a viscosepalum) which have had virtually
>all their leaves eaten off. Only little green shreds remain on the
>branches. The flowers (almost through by now) have not been harmed. These
>are both deciduous shrubs. Evergreen azaleas nearby are OK. Presumably the
>new tender growth is preferred. I saw no sign of any insects on these
>azaleas, and have never heard of insects bothering azaleas.
>
>Is there any chance they will refoliate? Will the insect(s) go away? What
>are they?
>
>This is the kind of damage Japanese beetles can do later in the year, but
>they are not out yet and I don't think they attack azaleas.
>
>Bobbi Diehl
>Bloomington, IN
>zone 5/6
>
>
