If you see many small black spots under the leaves on pears, quince, apple trees, eggplants and the leaves on the top are discoloured and lose their green colour, then you have an infestation of Tingidae (Lace Bugs). The Tingidae family of insects, often referred to as Lace Bugs, are very small insects that infest […]
Black spots under the leaves of Pear, Apple, Quince – Tingidae – Lace Bugs Read More »
Citrus mealybug is a very widespread coccoid that infects many types of plants, such as grapevine, citrus, tomato, potato, cucurbits, etc. Secondarily, it also attacks stored potatoes, sweet potatoes and other succulent fruits. Scientific name: Planococcus citriGreek name: Βαμβακάδα, Ψευδόκοκκος, Ψευδόκοκκος των εσπεριδοειδών Damage Citrus mealybug infects all plant parts and covers them with cotton-like
Golden nematode attacks a large number of plants, e.g. beets, potatoes, legumes and many autochthonous plants. Scientific name: Globodera rostochiensis (=Heterodera rostochiensis), G. pallida (=H. pallida)Other name: Golden eelworm, Yellow potato cyst nematodeGreek name: Χρυσονηματώδης της Πατάτας Damage The young larvae (caterpillars) cause irregular holes in the leaves. Developed larvae are voracious eaters and eat
Scientific name: Phytometra gamma, Autographa gammaOther name: Gamma moth, Silver YGreek name: Φυτομέτρης Beet worm is an insect that attacks a large number of plants, e.g. beets, potatoes, legumes and many autochthonous plants. Damage Young beet worm larvae cause irregular holes in leaves. Developed larvae are voracious eaters and devour the entire leaf, leaving only
Grapevine phylloxera originated in North America and spread to Europe. In Greece it was first recorded in 1892-1908 on the islands of the eastern Aegean Sea and in 1898 in Pylaia, Thessaloniki. Grapevine phylloxera insect had previously caused in Greece the total destruction of vineyards (native vineyards) over a large area and still exists as
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Citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella is native to South-East Asia, where it is widespread. From there it was introduced to Australia, North and South Africa. In 1993 it attacked citrus trees in the State of Florida, USA, Spain, Turkey and Cyprus. In Greece, it first appeared in the summer of 1995 on the islands of the
Potato tuber moth mainly affects potatoes, but also damages tobacco, beets, tomatoes and eggplant. Scientific name: Phthorimaea operculellaOther name: Tobacco splitwormGreek name: Φθοριμαία Damage Potato tuber moth causes damage to leaves and stems, but is not considered significant. Serious damage is done to tubers, which are attacked by the insect both in the field before
Wheat bulb fly is found mainly in wheat and less so in rye and barley. Scientific name: Hylemya coarctataOther name: DeliaGreek name: Υλέμυια Damage In spring, the wheat bulb fly larva penetrates into the stem of the plant, causing the leaves to turn yellow, rot at the base and become easily detached. Early infestations usually
Vine leafroller tortrix is a lepidopteran that attacks not only vines but also other perennial or annual plants. Scientific name: Sparganothis pillerianaOther name: Fruit mothGreek name: Τυλιγάδι ή Πυραλίδα της Αμπέλου Damage Young vine leafroller tortrix larvae feed on buds, young vegetation and inflorescences, which display silky threads. Small nits often appear on the leaf
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Vine leaf roller is an insect that attacks vine, pear, hazel, chestnut, poplar, willow and other forest trees. Scientific name: Byctiscus betulaeGreek name: Τσιγαρολόγος Damage Vine leaf roller attacks (eats) the buds (eyes) and tender vegetation during the April-May period, causing characteristic etching. Females lay eggs inside leaves that have previously been rolled up, creating
European crane fly insects resemble large mosquitoes. They are usually found in pastures, but can also be found in various crops, e.g. cereals, legumes, beets, potatoes. Scientific name: Tipula paludosaOther name: Daddy-longlegs, Leatherjackets (larvae)Greek name: Τιπούλα Damage The damage is caused by the larvae (leatherjackets). They attack the roots and bottom of stem of plants
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Leafhoppers are found in potatoes, beets, cereals, vines, many vegetables and many other crops. Scientific name: Empoasca flavescens, Empoasca decipiens, Eupteryx atropunctataGreek name: Τζιτζικάκια The leaves have light-colored areas due to sap removal and may curl at the edges. In severe infestation the entire leaf becomes chlorotic. Some are also carriers of plant diseases, transmitting
Scientific name: Tanymecus palliatus, T. dilaticolisGreek name: Τανύμεκος Damage Beet leaf weevil eats the cotyledons and young leaves starting from the circumference. It also attacks the root, stems and rhizome. Early infestations can result in complete destruction of the crop, while infestations at a later stage of the plants lead to wilting. Enemy The larvae
Beet armyworm are found on cotton, corn, potatoes, legumes, beets, vegetables, and other plants. Scientific name: Laphygma exigua, Prodenia litura, Spodoptera lituraOther name: Tobacco cutworm, Cotton leafwormGreek name: Σποντόπτερα (Λάφυγμα, Προντένια) Damage The young larvae feed on the leaves. They usually eat the back surface of the leaves, but may also destroy the entire leaf
Wireworms larvae usually live on dead organic matter, but can attack many crops, such as cereals, carrots, beets, potatoes. Scientific name: Agriotes lineatus, ElateridaeGreek name: Σιδηροσκούληκα Damage Eat holes in the seed and seedlings lead to empty plant spots in the field. Eat holes in plant roots result in wilting and killing of plants. In
March flies usually live on dead organic matter, but can infest many crops, such as cereals, beets, potatoes. Scientific name: Bibio hortulanusGreek name: Προνύμφες Bibionidae Damage Eat holes on seed and seedlings lead to empty plant spot in the field. Eat holes on plant roots result in wilting and dying of plants. In beets and
Cotton bollworm attacks cotton, corn, potatoes, tobacco, vegetables. Scientific name: Helicoverpa armigeraGreek name: Πράσινο Σκουλήκι Damage The young larvae feed on the leaves and then on the bracts, which fall off. The damage is most severe on the boll. On the outside of the affected boll, the entrance hole and the larval excrement can be
Green peach aphid attacks many crops, such as beets, potatoes, beans, peach trees, tomatoes, almond trees, plum trees, nectarines. The main preferred host is the peach tree. It is a polyphagous and cosmopolitan species. Scientific name: Myzus persicaeOther name: Greenfly, Peach-potato aphidGreek name: Πράσινη Αφίδα της Ροδακινιάς Damage Green peach aphids form colonies on the
Black Vine Weevil is a nocturnal insect, and during the day it hides in the ground. In Greece, it particularly attacks Sultanina and Corinthian raisins and is widespread in the Peloponnese and Crete. Scientific name: Otiorhynchus ap.Other name: Snout Beetle , Vine WeevilGreek name: Οτιόρρυγχος Damage It attacks (eats) the buds and tender parts of
Stem nematode is found on various cultivated and native plants. Scientific name: Ditylenchus dipsaciOther name: The stem and bulb eelworm, Onion bloat (in UK)Greek name: Νηματώδης Στελεχών και Βολβών Damage Affected plants show delayed growth and severe dehiscing. The seedlings at the base show bulb-like lumps and the leaves curl, twist or are completely deformed.
