Bug Quiz Answers
californicus
Neoseiulus
Good Bug
Benefits
We use Neoseiulus californicus for the biological pest control of spider mites and broad mites.
Description
The mite 0.04 mm long is pinkish red to pale white color with six legs. Males are smaller than females. The larvae are translucent. Females lay 2-4 eggs a day. Eggs take 1.5-4 days to hatch depending on temperatures. Adult predatory mites, nymphs and larvae actively search for their prey and consume them.
What to expect
Some of your plants may arrive with insects that look like this. These insects are safe and can be left on your plants.
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colemani
Aphidius
Good Bug
Benefits
Aphidius colemani, from the wasp family, helps us with the biological pest control of aphids.
Description
Adult female parasitic wasps lay their eggs parasitically in the aphids, causing them to swell and harden into leathery, grey/brown mummies. The first adult parasitic wasps emerge through a round hole at the rear of the mummy approximately 2 weeks after introduction.
What to expect
Some of your plants may arrive with insects that look like this. These insects are safe and can be left on your plants.
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Popillia
japonica
Bad Bug
Harmful Effect
Japanese beetle adults attack the foliage, flowers, or fruits of more than 300 different ornamental and agricultural plants.
Description
Feeding on grass roots, Japanese beetle grubs damage lawns, golf courses, and pastures.
What to expect
The Japanese beetle is a highly destructive plant pest that can be very difficult and expensive to control.
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cucumeris
Neoseiulus
Good Bug
Benefits
We use Neoseiulus cucumeris to help with the control of thrips, spider mites, and broad mites.
Description
The mite has a pear-shaped translucent pinkish or tan-coloured body (depending on what it has most recently been feeding on) and grows to a length of between 0.5 and 1 mm (0.02 and 0.04 in). Adult predatory mites actively search for and feed on their prey.
What to expect
Some of your plants may arrive with a sachet that looks like this. These biologicals are safe and
can be left on your plants.
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feltiae
Steinernema
Good Bug
Benefits
We use Steinernema feltiae for the biological pest control of shore fly larvae and thrip pupae.
Description
After application, the nematodes actively search for their prey and penetrate them. The nematodes feed on the contents of the prey, excreting specific bacteria from their digestive tracts as they do so. These bacteria convert host tissue into products that the nematodes can easily ingest. The larvae die within a few days.
What to expect
These biologicals are very small and are hard to see without magnification. They are more likely to be found in the soil.
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