Q.
My husband planted some gorgeous petunias in early April. At first they were
all blooming but now there isn’t a single flower in either of the planters. We
noticed many holes in the leaves so my husband sprayed them with Sevin thinking
that would do the trick. All we have is two planters filled with very healthy
green plants but no flowers.
My husband planted some gorgeous petunias in early April. At first they were
all blooming but now there isn’t a single flower in either of the planters. We
noticed many holes in the leaves so my husband sprayed them with Sevin thinking
that would do the trick. All we have is two planters filled with very healthy
green plants but no flowers.
A.
This is most likely tobacco budworm. The adult is a moth but the damage is done
by the larval or caterpillar stage. In this stage the caterpillar feeds on
flower buds and leaves.
The giveaways that it is tobacco
budworm are the lack of flowers, holes in the leaves from feeding, the type of
plant and the time of year. The flowers fail to open so lack of flowering is a
pretty good indicator the pest is present. Small holes in the leaves are
another good indicator.
budworm are the lack of flowers, holes in the leaves from feeding, the type of
plant and the time of year. The flowers fail to open so lack of flowering is a
pretty good indicator the pest is present. Small holes in the leaves are
another good indicator.
Besides petunia, tobacco budworm
likes geraniums and nicotiana. Once in a while we might see damage on roses.
likes geraniums and nicotiana. Once in a while we might see damage on roses.
In the future, if you have these
plants, look for holes in the leaves starting in April or May. That would be a
pretty good time to start thinking about getting control because its population
builds through the summer if not stopped.
plants, look for holes in the leaves starting in April or May. That would be a
pretty good time to start thinking about getting control because its population
builds through the summer if not stopped.
Check your plants for these
caterpillars as the sun is setting. This is the easiest time to find them and
pick them off of the plants with your fingers. During the daytime they like to
hide out close to the soil.
caterpillars as the sun is setting. This is the easiest time to find them and
pick them off of the plants with your fingers. During the daytime they like to
hide out close to the soil.
Tobacco budworm has become fairly
resistant to a lot of insecticides so control is a little bit difficult. This
is why you probably did not get controlled using the insecticide Sevin. Be
really careful with that insecticide because it is pretty hard on bees.
resistant to a lot of insecticides so control is a little bit difficult. This
is why you probably did not get controlled using the insecticide Sevin. Be
really careful with that insecticide because it is pretty hard on bees.
You might try an insecticide with
Spinosad on the label. Dipel or Thuricide might give you some control.
Otherwise use insecticides that contain synthetic pyrethroids in the list of
ingredients.
Spinosad on the label. Dipel or Thuricide might give you some control.
Otherwise use insecticides that contain synthetic pyrethroids in the list of
ingredients.
Regardless of the insecticide used,
always spray either very early in the morning or at dusk when bees are no
longer present.
always spray either very early in the morning or at dusk when bees are no
longer present.