Two of my boxwood shrubs are showing somekind of blight or bug infestation. I am trying to figure out what it is so I can treat it. Many leaves are turning yellow and black, and then dying off. I thought it was a fungus, but if you look on the underside of the leaf, there are 3-4 small white objects on them...they look like very tiny eggs. Does anyone know what this is?
2006-06-10 11:38:05 · 3 answers · asked by Citysides 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
It definitely looks like it could be the boxwood mite. There are casings under the affected leaves. However, the leaves are not just stippled...they actually have black and yellow circles that look like blight.
2006-06-11 02:25:35 · update #1
The boxwood mite or boxwood spider mite, is not an insect but is more closely related to spiders. The adult is green to yellowish brown in color, has eight legs and is tiny, about 1/64-inch long. Since mites are so small and early symptoms are not distinctive, it is easy to overlook the problem until a heavy infestation occurs and greater damage has occurred. This pest overwinters as eggs on the underside of leaves. The eggs hatch in the spring. Boxwood mites develop and breed rapidly, resulting in eight or more generations per year.
All stages of boxwood mite feed on both leaf surfaces. They pierce the leaf to suck out plant sap. During feeding, they inject toxic saliva, which results in stippling (tiny, yellow scratchlike spots) forming on the leaf’s upper surface. Boxwood mites prefer feeding on young leaves, but damage is most obvious on second- and third-year leaves. From a short distance, the infested boxwood appears unhealthy with a dingy silvery color.
Prevention and Control: Naturally occurring enemies of mites include various predator mites, ladybird beetles (ladybugs) and other insects. These predators will usually suppress mite populations. Since insecticide use kills predators as well as mites, insecticides should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
To determine whether insecticide use is needed, it helps to know how many mites are present. Hold a white sheet of paper under a branch and strike the branch. The mites that are knocked off will be seen crawling around on the paper. If more than 15 mites are seen per whack, serious damage can result.
Mites can be removed with a strong spray of water, if applied on a regular basis. Horticultural oil applied at the summer rate will kill eggs and adult mites. Insecticidal soaps can also provide control when applied before population numbers get too high. Insecticides labeled for homeowner use against boxwood mites include insecticidal soaps and hexakis (Ortho Systemic Insect Killer 0.5% EC or Ortho Orthenex Garden Insect & Disease Control 0.75% EC). These products should be applied when mites are present and again in seven to 10 days. As with all pesticides, read and follow all label instructions and precautions.
Hope this helps!
2006-06-10 11:59:18 · answer #1 · answered by freakiecatsmom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is a form of fungis,and you need to go to Lowes and get some fugis spray for it,and it could kill your bushes too if not treated in time.
2006-06-10 11:43:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont feed the wild aminals
2006-06-10 11:44:42 · answer #3 · answered by tommy_gunn22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋