GARDENING TIPS: The Delphinium Defoliator

TONIGHT IN OUR GARDENING TIPS SERIES, WE TELL YOU ABOUT SOME BUGS THAT ARE THREATENING DELPHINIUM PLANTS LOCALLY... AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SAVE YOUR PLANTS.

IT'S A BUGGY YEAR, LET'S GO TAKE A LOOK AT A FEW OF THEM THAT ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS.

I'M JULIE RILEY WITH COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, AND I'VE GOTTEN LOTS OF CALLS ON THE DELPHINIUM DEFOLIATOR.

IT'S A GREEN CATERPILLAR THAT HAS BEEN ACTUALLY TYING THE LEAVES TOGETHER AND FEEDING, AND PEOPLE ARE WORRIES THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GET BLOSSOMS.

SO I'VE BEEN TRYING TO REAR SOME OUT OF THIS LITTLE BUG CAGE SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE A COCOON.

THE ADULTS ARE A NIGHT FLYING MOTH AND BECAUSE THEIR PROTECTED WHEN THEY ROLL UP THE LEAF, THERE'S NOT REALLY A LOT YOU CAN DO EXCEPT TO SQUISH THEM. YOU KNOW WHERE EVER YOU SEE THOSE, YOU KNOW THE LEAVES ARE TIED UP, JUST SQUISH THEM.

THERE ARE ORGANIC PRODUCTS LIKE BT, NEEM OIL, BUT THE CATERPILLARS HAVE TO BE FEEDING OR INGESTING MATERIALS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO WORK.

SO RIGHT NOW THIS TIME OF YEAR IF YOUR'E STILL HAVING TROUBLE WITH THESE GREEN CATERPILLARS, GO AHEAD AND PINCH EVERYONE OF THOSE SPOTS WHERE THEY MIGHT BE HIDING.

THERE'S APHIDS ON THE TREES, THERE'S FLEA BEETLES IN THE GARDEN. IT REALLY SEEMS TO BE A GOOD YEAR FOR INSECTS.

SO, I AM GOING TO BE OFF TO BUG CAMP. ADULT BUG CAMP. I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

JOIN ME NEXT WEEK WHEN WE WILL TALK ABOUT MORE GARDENING PROBLEMS.

GARDENING TIPS IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MIDNIGHT SUN FAMILY MEDICINE, A PROUD PARTNER OF MOMS EVERYDAY.