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Zucchini problem
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Posted by goldhills via Gympie, Qld (My Page) on Wed, Jun 7, 06 at 22:47
| I was going to post this on the pests & disease but it doesn't seem to be used much.
I have 3 large golden zucchini plants which have been growing beautifully and fruiting for the last 2 or 3 weeks. Virtually overnight they have been attacked by some insect neither my husband (he has done a horticultural course) or myself have seen before. It isn't the pumpkin beetle or any that I can find during a search of pests. It is a tiny white to cream beetle about 1mm long, shaped like a ladybird (domed/rounded), doesn't move much can can run quickly if needed. The backs of the leaves are covered by them, they seem to suck the sap as the leaves, though still green, are shrivelling/curling up. It isn't aphid, scale, mealy bug, etc.
Would anyone know what it is? Thanks. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Zucchini problem
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| Hi GH How lovely to hear from you again any chance of a photo of that Beast who is doing so much damage to you zucchini. I have looked up my pest and disease book and the only ones that love zucchini are pumpkin beetle, red-shouldered beetle,leaf eating ladybird, two spotted mite and white fly try googling those and see if it comes up.. I have put a link to white fly on do have a look ...Cheers..MM. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Whitefly
RE: Zucchini problem
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| Hi MM, I took a couple of photos but my camera isn't up to close-ups so they aren't very clear. I've checked out pumpkin beetle, red-shouldered and ladybird but they are all much to big. These are definitely a beetle but only about 1mm long. Look like a creamy coloured ladybird in miniature. Even put one under my son's microscope thingy to have a closer look. I put a matchstick in this photo for size comparison. 
And this photo shows what they are doing to the plant. There has been a few aphids on the plant but not enough to do any damage and they are gone now. 
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RE: Zucchini problem
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- Posted by deejaus Melb.Vic. Australia (My Page) on
Sat, Jun 10, 06 at 0:19
| Hi GH, Just a question. Have you got aphids on the leaf as well as these things? Cheers,
Dee. |
RE: Zucchini problem
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| Hi Dee, had a few earlier but they didn't affect the plants and I got rid of them anyway. The plants were looking good but I didn't get into the garden for a few days and when I came back they looked like this. I couldn't see any aphids the other day. There seems to be what looks like manure spots on the leaves too but there was a couple of small caterpillars - the chooks enjoyed them. My first thought was the aphids had come back but I can't see any. I've been through my insect books and browsed the net but haven't seen any insects/beetles like these. The plants were large, spread well over a metre wide and every leaf had dozens of these beetles. They did have a couple of spots of mildew starting a week or so ago but I took those leaves off & the rest seemed fine. |
RE: Zucchini problem
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| Hi again GH Are you sure they are not a pre-adult version of the white fly just asking as there is this about them on that link *Not only do they feed on plants, but they also produce honeydew, which spoils the plants' appearance, attracts ants and black sooty mould. Whiteflies can also transmit plant viruses * Stab in the dark though, could you bottle a few up and take it to your Local council why don't you give the DPI a ring they may point you in the right direction for info.. I am sorry I do not recognize them at all have a look at the link below it has close up pics of the immature whitefly. similar shape to a beetle .. MM. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Immature Whitefly
RE: Zucchini problem
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- Posted by deejaus Melb.Vic. Australia (My Page) on
Sun, Jun 11, 06 at 2:09
| MM has said what I was about to say. I believe there is also a Silverleaf whitefly which has only been around since about 1994. Could also be nymph stage of that. |
RE: Zucchini problem
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| Thanks for the help MM & Dee. It definitely isn't the immature whitefly. I wish I could get a decent picture but my poor litle camera just isn't up to the job :( might be a good excuse to buy a new one :) I will have to take some in to DPI or somewhere. When I first saw them my first thought was a very rounded type of scale but, even though they aren't very active, they will move if disturbed on 6 legs. Don't know if they fly though. I also thought it might have been a type of ladybird but besides the common ones I can't find a lot of information on other types, and besides the 28 spot, I don't know any that would cause this sort of damage especially when there isn't any sign of anything else that would cause it. I've played around with the photos again - cropping and sharpening, etc but I can't get it much clearer but here is an even closer one. Doesn't look to bad on my computer but when I put it in photobucket it doesn't look as clear. 
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RE: Zucchini problem
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I found the same bugs on my zucchini plant and they are killing it. I just sprinkled some Seven on it and hope it will work and they don't go onto any of my other plants.
Are there any other recommendations? |
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