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something eating my correas
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Posted by ozkaryn adelaide hills (My Page) on Mon, Feb 26, 07 at 3:09
| Hi all, something has been munching away happily on my correas, mainly mannii, marians marvel and pulchella varieties. I have mulched these heavily with newspaper, and a green trimmings mix of eucalypt, small branches and pine trimmings (from the ETSA guys). I have looked on and under all the leaves, under the mulch, in the mulch, in the morning, afternoon, night...and can't find the culprit. I have lots of slaters under the mulch, some bull ants and harlequin bugs. I'm not sure if it's the harlequin bugs?? Does anyone have any suggestions as to sprays and what the pest could be? The leaves seem to get skeletised (is that a word?) and then go crispy, then the plant dies. They are tube stock, and healthy until this happens. No other natives are getting eaten, just the correas! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: something eating my correas
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| If you look hard enough I think you might find quite a few small bright green catepillars. Very hard to spot against the green leaves. I am not much of an etemologist so I couldn't tell you what they are. But I have noticed the same problem with some Tasmania and Pomaderris shrubs of mine and likewise couldn't find the culprit. After spraying them with pyrethrin dozens and dozens of the little green catepillars came rainind down. |
RE: something eating my correas
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| I agree with Greg, as almost a sure thing that caterpillars are the culprits. Look along the stems and branches if you can't find them on the leaves. Some of these can be very hard to spot, but once you've found your first one it's easy after that. I've also had them about 1.5cm long and black in colour, but very fine in body. If your plants are in tubes, try giving them a burst with fly spray then look in the foliage for activity or movement. |
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