As the growing season continues, insect season also continues! In this edition, we'll feature Green Lacewings and Spotted Winged Drosophila.
Do you want to review pest management basics?
We recommend reading Volume 1 of our Friend or Foe series. Click here to view our previous edition of Friend or Foe: Ladybug and Tarnished Plant Bug.
Friend: Green Lacewings
Identification:
Adults are about 12–20 mm long and have thin green bodies with large transparent lace-like wings, long antennae, and oval- shaped, golden to copper-colored eyes.
Promoting Lacewings in Your Garden
Green Lacewings feed on insects as well as nectar, pollen, and honeydew. You can support them in your garden by:
- Having consistently flowering plants in your outdoor space
- Limiting pesticide applications (many insecticides are not selective, meaning they will destroy both pests and beneficial insects)
- Providing overwintering habitats
Reasons to Love Green Lacewings
Green Lacewings are fantastic pest control against mites and soft-bodied pest insects. They devour insects such as:
- Aphids
- Caterpillars
- Lace bugs
- Leaf hoppers
- Mealybugs
- Psyllids
- Scales
- Thrips
Foe: Spotted Winged Drosophila (SWD)
Identification:
Adults are about 3mm long, have red eyes, and have tan bodies with dark brown bands. Adult males have a single spot on each wing, and adult females have a serrated ovipositor, visible under a microscope. Larvae are about 1/8” long and have a white cylindrical body that tapers on one end.
Host Plants
Wide host range of thin-skinned fruits and vegetables, including:
- Strawberries
- Brambles
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Tomatoes
Damage:
- Females use serrated ovipositors to lay eggs in healthy, ripening fruit
- Larvae feed within fruits, causing fruits to soften and brown
- Damage is often not visible until after harvest
Did you find any Spotted Winged Drosophila in your garden?
Give us a call and we’ll talk you through what you can do to manage this pest.
Do you have more insect questions?
Nourse Farms is here to grow with you every step of the way! Our customer service team is ready and available Monday–Friday, 9–5 p.m. EST. Call us at 413-665-2658.
Not a phone person? You can also email us at info@noursefarms.com!