Many people associate mealybugs with indoor plants. However, these small pests, which are related to scales and whiteflies, can also be found living outdoors in colonies on ornamental and vegetable plants where they can do significant damage by feeding on the sap. Their honeydew secretions add additional woes because it…
Okra is one of my favorite vegetables to grow. It's a fascinating plant that is heat tolerant, which is perfect for our warmer climate, and it has beautiful hibiscus-like flowers. Plus, its green finger-shaped pods can be prepared a number of ways, including grilled, roasted, fried, and stewed. Who doesn't…
As they say, looks can be deceiving. Such is the case for the cucumber beetle. This small, seemingly innocuous insect can cause tremendous damage to your garden. I'll show you how to identify the adult and larval stages, as well as how to control, and possibly even prevent, these pesky…
Leaf-footed bugs are members of the Coreidae family of insects, which are primarily sap-suckers. These strange pests are so named because of the leaf-shaped flair located on each hind leg. They are approximately 1/2" to 3/4" in length, not including their long antennae. The adults range in color from gray,…
Zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables to grow in my container garden. For one thing, it's a beautiful plant with giant green leaves and gorgeous yellow blossoms. Another reason is because this healthy veggie (it's a great source of vitamins C, B-6 and K, and manganese) is so versatile!…
What are Squash Bugs?Squash bugs. Those scary, prehistoric-looking insects that are the bane of gardens, large and small. True to their name, they prefer squash plants, such as yellow squash, acorn squash, crookneck squash, patty pan (scallop) squash, and zucchini. But these garden pests will also attack other cucurbits like…
What Do You Do With Acorn Squash? Let's face it. Acorn squash is not the first thing you think about when you think about winter squash. (Hopefully, if you have a garden, you are thinking about winter squash.) Butternut squash, on the other hand, seems to be the favored squash,…
Acorn squash are members of the cucurbit family, as are cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, melons, patty pan (scallop) squash, and gourds. They differ from summer squash in that they have a thicker, non-edible skin which makes it possible to store them during the winter months. Hence, they are categorized as…
What Are Leaf Miners?Leaf miner is a term used to describe the larval stage of a variety of moths, wasps, beetles, and flies that feed on the soft tissue sandwiched between the top and bottom layers of leaves. They leave a distinctive white, gray, or clear zigzag pattern of dead…
What is a Squash Vine Borer?The squash vine borer is the larva stage of a 1/2" long diurnal sesiid moth. This beautiful moth, often mistaken for a wasp, has a bright orange abdomen with black spots and two sets of wings, one metallic green, the other transparent. Although it is…