Rhubarb and blackfly.
Urglers,
A short while ago there was a question about boiling rhubarb leaves and using the water to get rid of blackfly. I suggested that if the oxalic acid in the leaves was thereby disolved in the water, the water might indeed kill off blackfly. I now think that the water will not kill the blackfly for the leaves of my rhubarb are a home to many of the b - - - - - things! But on the other hand, if the water used was boiling hot . . . . . . . .!!! Regards Ron |
Rhubarb and blackfly.
I've been encouraging some dock (?) leaves in my garden as we have lots of
stinging nettles. These have been covered with black fly but the rhubard very nearby has not. Perhaps there is a use for dock as a distraction. Paul DS. |
Rhubarb and blackfly.
What I am wondering is, do blackfly have natural predators that I
could encourage? I was momentarily hopeful when I noticed a ladybird in close proximity to the little bliughters on one of the affected plants - however, on closer examination, it turned out to be two labybirds, too busy making whoopee to have dinner on their mind. Andy You may be in luck then - ladybird larvae eat more pests than adults. -- Drakanthus. (Spam filter: Include the word VB anywhere in the subject line or emails will never reach me.) |
Rhubarb and blackfly.
"Andy Spragg" wrote in message What I am wondering is, do blackfly have natural predators that I could encourage? I was momentarily hopeful when I noticed a ladybird in close proximity to the little bliughters on one of the affected plants - however, on closer examination, it turned out to be two labybirds, too busy making whoopee to have dinner on their mind. Andy, Ladybirds and their larvae are the predators you need but the blackfly have a Dad's Army - ants - so if you want to give the ladybirds a fighting chance, kill of any nearby ants nests too. I've found Nippon to be very effective. By the way, also goes for runner beans' blackfly. Regards Ron |
Rhubarb and blackfly.
Andy, Ladybirds and their larvae are the predators you need Snip P.S. The ladybird larvae are dark grey oval shaped with orange markings. They grow to about 0.5 cms long. Regards again Ron |
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