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Some kind of pest on my iris leaves

Some kind of pest on my iris leaves
Posted by Shari Doyle from MD on 2001-04-09 15:42:42

I have irises that have been handed down over generations and I don't want to lose them. There are tons of green small bugs on the leaves and I'm not sure exactly what they are or how to kill them. I've noticed lady bugs around them and I suspect they might be aphids. Would Malathion work? I don't want to kill the lady bugs, however. Please help!!!
  • Reply to this message >>

    Bugs on Iris
    Posted by Daryl from Ga/Zone 7a on 2001-04-10 12:44:00

    Quoting Shari Doyle: ------------
    -There are tons of green small bugs on the leaves and I'm not sure exactly what they are or how to kill them. I've noticed lady bugs around them and I suspect they might be aphids. Would Malathion work? I don't want to kill the lady bugs, however. __

    Shari,

    The Malathion will definitely kill off your lady bugs, leaving you with a worse problem. If you see Ladybugs, you'll also probably see ladybug larva, which consume hundreds of aphids.

    I'd give the ladybugs a chance- they'll do a much better job of controlling aphids than we can. If there are some plants that have no ladybugs or larva ( or their eggs, which look like orange barrels, only slightly tapered), use plain water to rinse off the aphids.

    Daryl

    Ladybug Larva

    • Reply to this message >>

      Yellow bugs on iris
      Posted by Joan E. from Dallas, TX on 2008-12-03 05:51:00

      I have yellow bugs with black dots on their backs. They hide in the flowers while munching. They also fly. Does anyone know what kind of bug it is? What can be done to get rid of them? Joan
    • Reply to this message >>

      Pests on Irises
      Posted by Shari Doyle from MD on 2001-04-10 14:03:07

      Quoting Daryl: ------------
      -Quoting Shari Doyle: ------------
      -There are tons of green small bugs on the leaves and I'm not sure exactly what they are or how to kill them. I've noticed lady bugs around them and I suspect they might be aphids. Would Malathion work? I don't want to kill the lady bugs, however. __

      -Shari,

      -The Malathion will definitely kill off your lady bugs, leaving you with a worse problem. If you see Ladybugs, you'll also probably see ladybug larva, which consume hundreds of aphids.

      -I'd give the ladybugs a chance- they'll do a much better job of controlling aphids than we can. If there are some plants that have no ladybugs or larva ( or their eggs, which look like orange barrels, only slightly tapered), use plain water to rinse off the aphids.

      -Daryl

      Thank you for your response. I used a hand held bug spray (not malathion) but removed what lady bugs I saw. I did not, however, see any larvae. In the future, I will just wash it off with water as you suggested. I hope the lady bugs come back. Did the description of the bugs sound like aphids?
      • Reply to this message >>

        Pests on Irises
        Posted by Daryl from Ga/Zone 7 on 2001-04-18 08:02:51

        Did the description of the bugs sound like aphids?__

        Yes.
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