Kevin Fogle
With fall near , I am thinking about my cool - conditions crops and some of the common plague that can significantly impact the harvest . One such pesterer is the harlequin bug ( Murgantia histrionica ) , aka the harlequin cabbage bug , which targets almost all of the cole crop , such as cabbage , broccoli , cauliflower and collards . An invasive species from Mexico , the harlequin glitch has been easy working its way north across the United States over the last few decade . set up populations of this pest are found in nearly all southerly states from the Atlantic to the Pacific , with some harlequin now identified as far north as Pennsylvania .
The harlequin bug is a cousin of the stinkbug and shares its classifiable shield - forge body . full-grown harlequin bugs are 3/8 inch long and are shameful with orange , yellow or bright - red marking that sometimes vary in colour between seasons .
The pretty orange - and - black appearing negate the destructive nature of these sap - sucking insect , which can wipe out an intact harvest when left uncontrolled . Symptoms of a harlequin - bug infestation let in seeable adult insects and the wilt of leaves that turn brown and quickly die . This terms is triggered by the harlequin ’s saliva inject into leaves , liquefying industrial plant tissue so that the insects can feed on it .
Harlequin Bug Control
Sadly , there are very few organic sprays or pesticide that can effectively treat with harlequin bug or their stinkbug relatives . The better plan , as is often the case with resilient insect , is to handpick these pests early in the season to assist limit the exponential universe increase that typically occurs in tardy summer and early fall .
apart from physical removal , one of the estimable organic control is use of former decline and early spring soil cultivation which can kill a large percentage of the overwintering grownup harlequin bugs . Be trusted to take any remaining cabbage or broccoli plant debris after your harvest , as they serve as spawn situation for these pests . If the flora detritus is infest with the pests , fox the organic affair in the shabu or else of composting it .
Other method acting that may be successful against these invasive insects are ambuscade crop and floating row cover . If harlequin bug are a common issue in your garden , conceive planting mustard or kale away from the craw you plan to run through to act as a lying in wait craw . Although fourth dimension intensive and expensive , float row covers are also effective for the control of harlequin bugs and many other common garden pest .
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