Re: Insects
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Insects
- From: m* l*
- Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 07:30:24 -0600
That sounds like the black vine weevil. larvae can kill rhodies, but the
adults are about 1/4 inch long, not 1/8 inch. Nematodes can control them in
the larval stage. Margaret L
At 07:30 AM 5/23/2000 -0400, you wrote:
>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
>>
>>
>
>
