Got bugs? Let’s start with aphids

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that use their mouthparts to pierce leaves and stems to suck out fluids. Aphids may be green, yellow, brown, red or black, but all are small and pear-shaped, usually feeding in dense groups. Aphid populations can be reduced by knocking them off sturdy plants with a strong spray of water. If necessary, and it rarely is, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. You can squish them if you don’t mind the juice.

Cabbage looper adults are a mottled gray-brown moth with a small white figure 8 in the middle of the front wings. They are nocturnal but can be seen during the day resting on the underside of cabbage leaves. The light green larvae have narrow white lines on each side. They start feeding immediately and excrete dark green pellets.

Imported cabbage worm adults are white butterflies with black spots on the front wings. Caterpillars are green with light yellow stripes along the back and sides and feed on broccoli, cabbage, and other cole crops. Handpicking these and cabbage looper caterpillars can be effective in smaller gardens. Low impact, less toxic insecticides such as neem oil or Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are recommended on food crops.

Flea beetles feed primarily on vegetable foliage. There are several types of flea beetles ranging in size from 1/16th to 1/8 inch all in the brown to black colors. The most common is the crucifer flea beetle that feeds on the foliage of radish, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and melon. The damage leaves foliage with many smaller holes, giving a shot hole appearance. Transplants withstand more damage than plants started from seed. Clean up weeds and plant debris or use floating row covers early in the season. Several insecticides are labeled for use for treating flea beetles.

Four-lined plant bugs are greenish yellow insects with four black stripes down the wings. They are active for about a month each year. As they feed on the foliage of herbaceous perennials, they remove the chlorophyll leaving small round brown or black spots. Small numbers will not do serious harm. If feeding is extensive, spraying is an option. Insecticidal soap is a less toxic choice, but insecticides that include carbaryl or acephate are effective. Do not use these last two on herbs.

Adult rose chafers, just under one-half inch in length, are slender pale green or tan beetles with reddish-brown thin legs.  They feed primarily on flower blossoms, especially roses and peonies. They may also damage fruits such as grape, raspberries and strawberries and sometimes feed on the foliage of trees. Rose chafers contain a toxin that can be deadly to birds, including chickens, and small animals.

Look for information about horticulture on the University of Minnesota Extension Home and Garden Information page www.extension.umn.edu/gardeninfo or on the Beltrami Master Gardener site beltramicountymastergardeners.org. The local Master Gardener horticultural assistance voice mail is again taking calls so please call 444-7916 with your question.