Opuchlaki are beetles biting holes in the leavesOval holes can be seen on the edges of the leaf blade. Dillies attack various garden plants, although most often those with fleshy and thick leaves. They can be found, for example, on yews, azaleas, rhododendrons and strawberries. On the other hand, whitishlarvaefeed in the ground and destroy plant roots. We suggest how to recognizesymptoms of swellingand how to get rid of these beetles from the garden. Here are the best ways tofight swellingand a list of recommended sprays!
Holes in the leaves of the rhododendron bitten by swollen mushrooms
Fig. depositphotos.com
Opuchlaki - symptoms
Opuchlakiare insects from the order of beetles. Adult specimens are up to 11 mm in length. On garden plants, the following are the most commonspecies of oysters :
- Strawberry opuchlak(Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
- Opuchlak rudonóg(Otiorhynchus ovatus)
- Opuchlak pstrokacz(Otiorhynchus singularis)
- Opuchlak lilac(Otiorhynchus rotundatus).
There is no need to write about the differences between these beetles, because both the damage they cause andthe methods of combating them are identicalAnyway, the differences in the appearance of many species of marsh beetles are so slight that they are hard to see with the naked eye.
Symptoms of feeding on swollen glandsare quite easy to recognize. The adult form of the insect, which is active at night, damages the above-ground part of the plant bybiting holes in the leavesstarting from the edge. Because similar holes can bite, among others, by snails, it is worth checking the plants by looking underneath the leaves. If we do not see beetles, we can shake the twigs vigorously and observe that the beetles do not fall to the ground. If they do appear, we can be sure that the perpetrators of the damage are the swelling.
Opuchlak on the euonymus leaf
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Alsoswollen larvaecause a lot of damage. Plants attacked by them initially look as if they dry up, then they decay and usually die. The larvae are yellowish white anddevour the soft skin of the rootsand the base of the stem. After removing the plant from the soil, it is easy to see root damage caused by the larvae as well as the larvae themselves, which we can easily spot with the naked eye. Marshmallow larvae are yellowish white with brown head
Marsh larva
Fig. depositphotos.com
Opuchlaki are very numerous and easily reproduce(in birth, so a male is not needed). The larvae hatch from the numerous eggs laid by the female. Sometimes, after the plant is taken out of the soil in the ground, different developmental stages (e.g. larvae with and without legs) can be noticed simultaneously. If beetles attack our indoor plants, it should be remembered that in such favorable conditions they remain active throughout the year and do not stop developing. In gardens,adult beetles appear from May or June and forage until autumnhibernate in the form of larvae.
Marshlets bite in the bay leaves, starting from the leaf edge
Fig. © Katarzyna Bańcerowska
Opuchlaki - fighting
Fighting swollen bugs is quite difficultdue to the fact that they reproduce easily and at the same time there may be different development stages of these beetles. If we notice only single beetles on the leaves, and the damage to the plants is small, we can start the elimination of this pest by ecological harvesting. For this purpose,boards are placed around the attacked plants, right next to the trunk.Because the marshmallow feeds only at night, and during the day it looks for a hiding place that is convenient for it - boards arranged in such a way can be used for it. Thanks to this, we will quickly catch pests, it will be convenient both for us and not burdensome for plants. You can also use empty dark vessels, which we fill with yew branches (it is a plant liked by swollen and will attract them to the dishes). They should be placed near the plants.
Strawberry opuchlak
Photo. Denny Bruck, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Anotherway to catch marshmallow , especially under trees and shrubs, is to lay out a light foil or fleece under the plant. Then we vigorously shake the twigs of the plant.As a result of shaking the plant, weeds fall from the plants to the groundThe foil or non-woven fabric placed under the plant will prevent the beetles from hiding quickly in the ground or grass. We will notice them more easily. Fallen beetles are crushed, for example, by trampling on them. You have to press quite hard because their bodies are very hard and durable. We do such fishing every day, preferably even 2-3 times a day.
Opuchlaki - spraying
Very often, however, such catching is not enough and you have to reach for plant protection products. Anyway, in the spring time, spraying is usually recommended immediately after noticing the first beetles or damaged leaves, so that the pests can be destroyed before they lay their eggs. For spraying, the contact agent Fastac 100 EC or Mospilan 20 SP is most often recommended. Spraying the plants in the evening, when the beetles set out for feeding
If you do not want to use chemical pesticides, you can usenatural and ecological NeemAzalIt is used to combat various sucking, biting and leaf mining pests. Therefore, it is perfectto combat swollen bites gnawing leaves of garden plantsThis preparation can be sprayed on ornamental plants, as well as some vegetables, herbs and apple fruit trees.
Opuchlaki - fighting larvae
When fighting the adult form, we should also remember aboutcombating the larvae of the swelling of the roots , because they are the plant's greatest enemy. Biological preparations can be used for this purpose: Larvanem or Nemasys F. Both contain species of nematodes that are harmless to plants and lethal to larvae.These preparations are best used in April, May or August, September. They are mixed with water at a temperature of 15-20 ° C and, after pouring into a watering can, carefully spread over the root area of the plant. The nematodes penetrate the larvae through holes called lenticels, and then release bacteria that cause the insect to die within hours.
It is worth noting, however, that both of the above-mentionedpreparations with nematodes are very expensive , usually available in large doses, for use in commercial production. The smallest packages cost about PLN 100. For amateurs of plant cultivation, a problem may be caused by the proper storage of these preparations.
Therefore, for use in amateur garden plant cultivationa much cheaper preparation P-Drakol , containing in its composition beneficial bacteria that create an unfavorable environment for the development of the larvae in the ground. As a result of the use of this preparation, the number of larvae is very limited, usually to such an extent that their harmfulness ceases to be noticeable.The high efficiency of P-DRAKOL, combined with the reasonable price, make it thebest choice for gardeners fighting with larvaefeeding in the ground.
Anothera good way to treat the larvae of the swollenis to water the plants with the Wrotycz ProBio Ogród preparation. It is a natural preparation which containsfermented tansy extractenriched with beneficial microorganisms. After watering the plants with this preparation, the larvae come to the surface of the soil and are eaten by the birds. Therefore, the reduction of the number of marsh larvae in the ground occurs very quickly. The preparation is diluted 1:50 with water (20 ml of the preparation per 1 liter of water) and the plants are watered several times during the growing season.
Opuchlaki at home
We hear more and more reports ofswellings found in houses These beetles can be brought with the plants in their pots or they can easily get out of the garden. Swellings can be seen on walls, floors, near the exit door to the terrace or garden.
Opuchlaki are harmful only to plants(including potted flowers) and besides, they do not pose a threat to your home. However, if we encounter swollen fever at home, let's treat it as a signal that there are probably plenty of them in the garden and that we need to deal with them!
Opuchlak and the grain weevil - comparison
Fig. pixabay.com
We must also be careful not toconfuse the weevil with the grain weevilThe corn weevil is also a beetle, but much smaller (2-5 mm body length) and with a slightly different body structure. However, untrained people can make a mistake.
We can find grain weevils at home in containers with cereal grains, in rice, corn, groats and pasta, as well as in dried fruit, almonds, nuts and in flakes oatmeal.The appearance of grain weevil in the kitchen is a big problem, and these insects need to be combated.
Finally, my note -it is very easy to bring the weevils along with the plants you buy , especially with the plant species produced massively, such as chrysanthemums or azaleas. Therefore, before buying, let's look carefully at the plants and avoid buying plants in supermarkets, where they stand in large clusters, one next to the other, and pests can easily wander between them.
MSc Eng. Katarzyna Bańcerowska
