Monday, April 23, 2012

What are These black fly/moth/bugs with red heads?

Do any of my friends know what these are?  Are they good or bad for my grape vines, they appear to be reproducing and I don't know what they are.  If you can help me Please let me know.  Thanks! Here's my answer.  They are Bad!
Grape Leaf Skeletonizers in the Low Desert


DESCRIPTION: Small, black, yellow, and blue striped caterpillars which mature into a blue black moth which resembles a wasp with feather like antennae.

DAMAGE:  Larvae feed side-by-side in groups devouring grape leaves rapidly, leaving only the veins. Soon only the "skeleton" of the leaf remains.

MANAGEMENT: Hand pick and destroy any adults, larvae, or eggs you see. Wear gloves and a dust mask because the larvae are covered with stinging hairs that may become airborne. Spray plants with Bacillus thuringiensis or carbaryl.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I had these last year, but family member gave me a product which killed the eggs and stopped the destruction. Its name is
ORGANOCIDE 3-IN-1 GARDEN SPRAY .
This comes through ORGANIC LABORATORIES INC.
The moths hit in May. I sprayed a couple of good sprayings and had a good crop for a three yr. old vine.