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 Sticky mess, aphids and aphid
eaters
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By John
Fulton
[July 30, 2007]
People are beginning to complain about leaking
sap coming from trees. Actually this has been going on for a week or
so. What happens is a fine mist of sap coats things beneath a tree.
This is actually called "honeydew," which is a secretion of sucking
insects such as aphids. What makes matters worse is that a fungus
begins growing in the honeydew, making it turn black.
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There are two ways to deal with the problem. The first way is to
spray the entire tree with a product such as malathion to kill
the insects. The second way is to move anything portable from
under the tree. If you opt for the first method, you need to
make sure you can spray the entire tree. The kind of weather
predicted will increase aphid numbers at a very great rate.
The end effect on the tree isn't all that major as long as
adequate moisture is available. This means a shot of water when
it stays dry for a week or more. We'll also be coming up on lawn
fertilization time in about a month, and the fertilizer will
help the trees as well.
Aphid eaters
With the numbers of aphids increasing in gardens, on trees
and in fields, that brings us to a couple of predators we are
familiar with. One is the Asian lady beetle, and the other is
the syrphid fly. Both of these increase populations greatly when
their food source -- in this case, aphids -- increases.
We are all familiar with the Asian lady beetle. It is
actually a beneficial insect since it eats aphids. It is also a
nuisance pest when it gets all over the side of your house or
flies around your light over the kitchen table. The vacuum
cleaner is the best control in the house, and think twice about
treating them outside since they are helping you keep from
having black, sticky lawn furniture.
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 Syrphid fly is a generic name given to an entire group of flies.
There are some differences in appearance and color, but the yellow
and black color is the major one in our area. Syrphid flies are also
called hover flies or flower flies. They tend to hover around your
arms and face when you have been perspiring, and they land to lap up
the sweat. They are also commonly found on flowers -- hence the
flower fly name -- and do a good job of pollinating.
Syrphid flies are actually beneficial insects. They help
pollinate; larvae feed on dead organic matter; and the larvae are
predators of aphids. They cannot sting, but their mouthparts can
usually be felt when lapping up sweat from sensitive areas. You may
feel a slight pinch.
We're at the fair
This is Logan County Fair week. We'll be hard to reach because of
the various 4-H shows. If you really need to speak with someone in
the office, you may always call the office at 732-8289. You may have
to leave a message on the answering machine, but we'll get back to
you as we are able.
[Text from file received from
John
Fulton, University of Illinois Extension,
Logan County Unit] |
