I was struck, again, by the crafty camouflage employed by the caterpillars in my garden this week. Looking down at a chojubai, I spotted a caterpillar extending itself stick-like from the leaf it was clinging to. Unlike the completely green caterpillars I’m used to seeing around the garden, this one was clearly suited to the […]
Pests
Stealthy pests – root aphid and adelgid
With some pests, no matter how closely one looks at the foliage, no signs of active infestation come to light. Slide the same tree out of its pot and it’s another story. Root adelgid on young black pine roots Root aphids and adelgids are insects that feed primarily on their hosts’ roots. There exist numerous […]
Spider mites aren’t insects
Rather, they are members of the arachnid family. Here’s what they like: Hot, dry and dusty conditions Stressed trees Selected pesticides – (see this article from UC’s IPM for details) If possible, avoid these. Left unchecked, spider mite infestations can severely damage bonsai. Although they are too tiny so see clearly without magnification, their damage is identifiable […]
Caterpillars
Have you ever seen moths or butterflies among your bonsai? Do you see them a lot? If so, there may be caterpillars nearby. Caterpillars are among my least favorite garden pest. They can cause lots of damage quickly, especially on small, tender trees. You can find them on deciduous trees and on conifers. Some are large, others […]
Adelgids
Have you ever seen small white spots accumulate at the base of needles or buds on black pines? On other conifers? If so, you’ve likely seen adelgids. See the small white spots just above the bud? Adelgids are a cousin of sorts to aphids. They are also known as pine aphids or wooly conifer aphids as […]