Strawberry Pests. Part 4

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

And again about the pests of strawberries

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Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

The spider mite is a rather dangerous pest for strawberries. Initially, only the leaves are damaged, and then all the bushes are wrapped in a thin layer of cobweb. On such a web, you can see whitish insects - these are ticks. In size, these mites will be less than a millimeter, but it is quite problematic to notice them. The mite is located on the underside of the leaves. At first, lesions can be seen on the upper side of the leaves: there will be large numbers of small light dots here. In the spring, this insect first attacks weeds, and then moves to strawberries. The second half of the fruiting period is the period of the most active activity of the spider mite. You can notice the presence of such a pest by examining the underside of the leaves.

As a preventive measure, only healthy seedlings should be used, crop rotation should be observed. The following chemicals are also suitable: Orthus, Actellic and Nurell D.

The slobbering stump is a cicada that is quite widespread. The name of the pest is explained by the fact that the larvae will be, as it were, immersed in a lunop-like liquid, which they themselves secrete. An adult pest can reach ten millimeters in length, the color will be variegated: black or light yellow. The eggs of the pest will overwinter in the tissues of leaf petioles and young stems. In the spring, larvae appear, they are located on the undersides of the leaves. The larvae feed on juice from the leaves, which leads to wrinkling of the leaves themselves and the impossibility of full development of the ovaries. Insects love moisture and warmth, reproduction occurs only when the weather is warm and humid.

Observance of crop rotation will be a preventive measure. Of the chemical control measures, spraying should be distinguished, which should be carried out during the active life of the pests. The only exception will be the period when the berries grow and ripen. You can spray with Actellin, Zolone, Shar Pei and Nurell D.

The seed beetle is a fairly medium-sized beetle, oblong-flat in shape. The eggs are colored white, oval in shape, and their length does not exceed half a millimeter. In larvae, the body will be worm-like and dense. The pest spends winter in the soil, regardless of its age. Beetles come to the surface already in April, until the beginning of July they will lay eggs. The female is capable of laying from one thousand to two thousand eggs. The embryo develops within fifteen to twenty days. The development of the larvae will take about three years. In the summer, the larvae will pupate in the soil. In two weeks, new beetles will appear. Larvae can have the greatest harm: and their negative influence can vary greatly. Due to damage to the underground parts of the stem, the plant can completely die. Also, the larvae can help penetrate the plant and pathogens of various diseases.

Observance of crop rotation is an obligatory measure. Spraying during the most active life of the pest with the same preparations as in the previous case is also suitable. If you are not using drip irrigation, then you should add force to the soil. When larvae hatch, drugs such as zolone, basudin, actara, or many others should be added to the drip irrigation system.

As you might guess, in order to prevent the appearance of a number of pests, the same preventive measures should be followed. Moreover, this circumstance will apply not only to strawberries, but also to other summer cottage crops. In addition, compliance with crop rotation will help to avoid not only the appearance of pests, but also the occurrence of a number of diseases.

Continued - Part 5.