Harlequin insects are shield- formed, have black-and-orange or black-and-red triangles at the again, and are about ¼-inch lengthy. The harlequin worm is one of those stink worm; it releases a nasty scent when disturbed.
Harlequin insects–also known as defend insects–suck plant sap from cabbage-family plants and different greens.
Harlequin insects overwinter in lawn particles and weeds. The ladies lay 300 to 500 unique eggs in neat double rows on leaf undersides in spring. The eggs seem like tiny white barrels with black hoops. Eggs hatch in per week and nymphs emerge.
Nymphs are crimson and black and oval and feed for a couple of weeks; they change into adults in about 5 weeks. There are generally 3 or 4 generations every year. In particularly warm iciness areas, breeding can cross on all 12 months.
Harlequin insects are discovered in large part within the southern part of america.
Goal Vegetation: Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collard, kale, and kohlrabi; additionally squash, beans, peas, corn, eggplants, tomatoes, mustard, radish, turnip, cherries, and peaches.
Feeding Conduct and Injury: Harlequin worm adults and nymphs suck plant sap from leaves, vegetation, buds, fruit, and seeds of cabbage relatives plants. Punctures made at feeding time could cause leaves to be blotchy and wilt; feeding reasons scarring and dimpling on culmination. Seedlings attacked by way of harlequin insects generally don’t live to tell the tale.
Natural Controls: Insecticidal cleaning soap for gentle infestations. As ultimate hotel, mud or spray with pyrethrum, rotenone, or sabadilla if the infestation is critical.
Natural Keep watch over Calendar: Here’s what you’ll be able to do seasonally to keep watch over harlequin insects:
- Earlier than planting: Take away or mow weeds close to lawn. Draw in local parasitic wasps and flies by way of planting small-flowered vegetation
- At planting time: Plant resistant sorts. Early within the rising season, exclude harlequin insects from goal vegetation with floating row covers.
- Whilst plants increase: When vegetation bloom pull again row covers for pollinators or hand pollinate. Handpick and spoil adults once they first seem in spring. Entice harlequin insects clear of plants by way of striking cabbage leaves somewhere else within the lawn; spoil the decoyed insects. Use insecticidal cleaning soap on massive infestations each 2 to a few days for two weeks—spray vegetation from most sensible to backside. Pyrethrum spray and rotenone spray or mud will kill harlequin insects but additionally really useful bugs.
- After harvest: Blank the lawn of all plant particles and weeds.
Herbal Predators: English sparrows and mockingbirds devour harlequin insects. Turtles additionally devour harlequin insects.
Clinical Title: Murgantia histrionica, Circle of relatives Pentatomidae
