Anyone ID these pests eating my Red Hot Pokers?

martinog

For the last 3 years my Pokers have been devoured by these "Flying Ant" type insects. Any idea how to get rid of them would be appreciated.

Protein · Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 10:04 pm Post subject:

me suspects its thrips, but they look a tad too big....

Bet they never thought their act of procreation would have been caught on camera and for wwworld to see.

Embarassed

Foxylock · Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 10:07 pm Post subject:

Howya Martinog,

These guys are soldier beetles and are actually considered a beneficial beetle and some gardeners will even try to attract them into the garden. They will eat soft growth but more importantly they prey on : cucumber beetles, corn rootworms, aphids, grasshopper eggs, caterpillars and beetle larvae. I can't recommend chemical control but if you are not squemish then pick them off the affected plants, alternatively spread a sheet around the plants and give them a good shake to dislodge the pests. There will be two generations of these guys per year so keep a watchful eye. Excellent photographs by the way !!

Protein · Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 10:14 pm Post subject:

Spot on Foxylock

What seems as your foe turns out to be your friend

martinog · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:38 am Post subject:

Thank you very much Guys. It's great to hear I have "friendly" beetles in my garden. Pity about my Pokers Confused

I'll see if I can move them around a bit. I don't know how they have time to eat when all they want to do is procreate!

medieval knievel · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:53 am Post subject:

are they actually eating the petals?

martinog · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:58 am Post subject:

I'm just assuming that they're doing the damage as I can't see anything else. The ends of the green leaves and the stalks are also been eaten. I'll investigate further and let you know.

medieval knievel · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 1:17 pm Post subject:

the reason i asked was that we had red hot pokers where the petals were being eaten by slugs.

martinog · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:50 pm Post subject:

Your dead right medieval knievel. I've just gone out in the dark and sure enough the stalks and leaves have both slugs and snails on them. Poor soldier beetles have nothing to do with the damage. I'll try the old beer in a saucer trick and see if it works.
Thanks again everyone for your help Razz

Foxylock · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:02 pm Post subject:

Just goes to show the soldiers always take the blame Laughing

Hopefully now the poker will stay hot for longer this year !!