I planted these Kiowa Blackberries this past fall in a pretty large container. They are upright with thorns. Supposed to have large sweet berries. I've been noticing something has been munching on it's leaves, but didn't catch them until this evening. Any idea what they are? Looks like some ant/spider combo. bug on blackberry ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) I hosed them off the leaves and squished some too. I was about to spray them with Dawn dishwashing liquid mixed with veggie oil (that I've used successfully with spider mites). But figured I'd better find out more before I did something stupid. Any idea what these little monsters are? And, while I was there.. I just couldn't help but go ahead and pick/eat the first really big berry. Yummy! 1st ripe Kiowa Blackberry ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) They are supposed to get much larger than this. Guess I'll find out next year... that is if I can save them from these leaf munchin' monsters! blackberry-size ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Thanks in advance for any help.
After a bit of looking around, I found out these guys are called "leaf footed stink bugs". I'll keep reading, but I think in the meantime, I'll sprinkle the leaves with Sevin dust. UGH... blasted blimey bugs! :twisted:
Cheryl, I keep thinking Assasin bugs is what I remember seeing them labeled as, somewhere. I am not able to remember where I saw them at though, it probably was a gardening book from the library. I was not able to find any similar bugs last night when I was looking on line, but there are those identified as leaf footed stink bugs and they do look similar, but none of them were the orangey/red color. Maybe the color is a stage of their maturity. Sorry I couldn't remember better. I have seen them here, too. Good bug, it is very beneficial according to the info on the web page I just looked at. Watch it closely to see if they are the ones doing the damage or are they preying on the bad bugs? They are named assasin bugs because of their habit to "lay in wait" on their prey. I'll keep looking though and post if I find anymore info for you.Carolyn
Carolyn.... I read about the assassin bugs too. They just didn't seem to match what I had as close as the leaf-footed stink bugs did. I saw no sign of bugs yesterday. I wish I would have gotten more pics of them before I sprayed them away... just to make sure of what I had. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for them... whatever they are!
Cheryl, look up the immature milkweed assassin beetle. I am pretty sure that is what you have. I typed in "red assassin bug" and that was the first thing to pop up. It is a site in Texas from Galveston County, listed as Beneficial insects in the garden.
I found this photo that looked like what they were doing when I noticed them. That's why I think they are the stink bugs.... and not the Assassins. I hope they are Assassins....I'll just have to wait and see if they return and get a better look at them. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...a=X&ei=5R7MTdrBBMrr0QGNgfHMBg&ved=0CE8Q9QEwBw
You could try a natural pesticide called "Pyrethrum". It's made from the flower of a Daisy. I believe it's non toxic to humans. But do Some research first. The product is becoming more main stream. It's sold in many stores. Just read the label very carefully. There is a another pesticide that has close to the same spelling and it's not human friendly
I had another thought. Have you tried habenero peppers. For some insects hot pepper blended to a pulp then added to light viniger will detract pests and rodents. The drawback is rain or morning dew will wash it away. Godd luck with your crop RJ
When my boys were growing up, I would send them out to pick the wild blackberries on our place. They refused to eat them because there were 'bugs sucking the blackberries', AND our DOG :-o was tasting all of the ones he could reach, eating the good ones. I told them to pick the ones our dog could not reach, and I would wash off the bugs. They didn't agree.
My German shepherd would always make a dash for my dads tomatoes. He had a taste for em. He was chased out of the patch many times. Then he started sneaking in silent as a cat and do a grab and run.
