Q. I bought a Bougainvillea (‘Barbara Karst’) last April
and planted it in my front yard. After digging the hole I added a local Rose
and Flower food in the bottom of the hole. I then added water and then planted
the Bougainvillea.
This plant
receives sunlight more than 6 hours every day and I water it as noted on the
label. All went well until something started to carve big divots out of the
leaves. I sprayed “Ortho Bug B Gone” as I was told and only sprayed
it on the plant at night so it would not burn the leaves.
receives sunlight more than 6 hours every day and I water it as noted on the
label. All went well until something started to carve big divots out of the
leaves. I sprayed “Ortho Bug B Gone” as I was told and only sprayed
it on the plant at night so it would not burn the leaves.
Well it
did the trick but the edges of the plant started to turn brown and shrivel up.
As soon as new fresh, unsprayed tender leaves came out, the bug came back and
started to carve out holes in the leaves again. Is there something I am doing
wrong?
did the trick but the edges of the plant started to turn brown and shrivel up.
As soon as new fresh, unsprayed tender leaves came out, the bug came back and
started to carve out holes in the leaves again. Is there something I am doing
wrong?
 |
| ‘Barbara Karst’ Bougainvillea with Leaf cutter bee damage in flowers |
A. This is the leafcutter bee and the female is using
your bougainvillea leaves to build its nests. These bugs are good guys and help
to pollinate our fruits and vegetables. By the way, these bees are very docile,
only sting if they are provoked, and cannot become Africanized.
your bougainvillea leaves to build its nests. These bugs are good guys and help
to pollinate our fruits and vegetables. By the way, these bees are very docile,
only sting if they are provoked, and cannot become Africanized.
I never
recommend spraying to control bees of any kind. I tell people to “live
with them” and encourage watering and fertilizing to encourage more growth.
recommend spraying to control bees of any kind. I tell people to “live
with them” and encourage watering and fertilizing to encourage more growth.
Add plant
more to lessen the damage on individual plants or plant other plants to lessen
the visual damage. These include roses, many kinds of flowers, grapes and
basil.
more to lessen the damage on individual plants or plant other plants to lessen
the visual damage. These include roses, many kinds of flowers, grapes and
basil.
The
damage will not hurt your plant if you can live with it. I will put more
information and pictures on my blog several months ago. In the blog search
engine, type in “leafcutter bee”.
damage will not hurt your plant if you can live with it. I will put more
information and pictures on my blog several months ago. In the blog search
engine, type in “leafcutter bee”.