Need help with 2 bug id's PLEASE!!!

17 years ago

Please forgive my ignorance if these bugs have already been posted, I am a nubie and I am trying not to lose my whole garden to bugs like last year. I apprecieate any help.

The first 2 photos is a bug I found on my tomato and potato plants. I believe it is a tomato psyllid, but I'm not sure. The plant leaves are curled, do I cut them off? Also, I have tried sevin & malathion, both were ineffective, any suggestions on controlling these?

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The next one I found flying around my potato plants, is this a parasitic wasp???

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Comments (7)

pepperdude
17 years ago
I'm no at all familiar with the first insect. I think that must be something we don't have here in the Seattle area.

The second insect (3rd picture) I can definitely say is not a wasp, although it is probably a bee mimic. It is actually a fly, and perhaps a syrphid fly. Try googling that name and click on "image" at the top of the google page to get all the images of syrphid fly online. If that's what it is it is probably a predator of aphids. It could also be a hover fly, although that may be the same thing?? They're great fun to watch in the garden and love any flowers from the carrot/dill family. Cabbage/mustard family flowers are also good for attracting beneficial insects.
anney
17 years ago
What state do you live in? Some pests are currently confined to specific geographic areas. Is there any leaf or plant damage?

Lots of insects pass through the garden and some rest a while before moving on. Let's hope this is all you've got!
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pinkymom
Original Author
17 years ago
I am in Central Texas. Their is leaf damage to from the 1st bug, it is causing the leaves to curl.
I will check out the hover and syrphid fly, thanks for the suggestions!
pinkymom
Original Author
17 years ago
I am in Central Texas. Their is leaf damage to from the 1st bug, it is causing the leaves to curl.
I will check out the hover and syrphid fly, thanks for the suggestions!
anney
17 years ago
pinkymom

Physillids are sucking insects that will make your leaves yellow and wilt. The recommendation is to use horticultural (Neem) soap spray to kill them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Psyllids
tn_veggie_gardner
17 years ago
I was going to recommend exactly what anney did. I'd see if you can pick up a bottle of GardenSafe's Neem Oil based miticide. It's cheap & a bit more affective than a home made soap spray.
pepperdude
17 years ago
Please! Do make sure you try whatever you can to ID the insects for sure before using any insecticide - even less toxic kinds. One other ID option is to bring a sample of the leaf/insect to a local nursery and see if they can help ID it. If they point you towards the insecticide without being able to ID any insect they have in hand then look for a more professional/knowledgeable place.

I'm not saying you shouldn't spray these plants, since the psyllid is not something we Washington gardeners are commonly faced with - but just following the basic rules of responsible gardening - ID first, spray second.