The Carolina Buckthorn seems to be recovering from its
earlier infestation of Asian Soybean Aphids.
Those plants that hosted just a few aphids appear almost normal.
Plants that were hardest hit still show the curled leaves that
afforded shelter to the aphid colonies.
Despite their odd appearance, the damaged leaves remain
alive and green. I assume they are still
performing their photosynthetic duties, but at a much less efficient level.
New leaves are developing in a normal manner. It’s encouraging to see that they aren’t yet
showing any signs of drought stress.
These plants are growing on an extremely dry site and most of the other
plant species in the area are looking distinctly wilted.
Presence of the Asian Soybean Aphids on the Carolina
Buckthorns is a fairly recent phenomenon.
I imagine now that they are here, the aphids will continue to be an
annual event. Being at the extreme
northern edge of their range already puts the buckthorns under a certain amount
of stress. Dealing with annual aphid
damage will certainly add to that stress.
I’m wondering how long it will be before I begin seeing a dieoff of
Carolina Buckthorn.
I took this as a bit of positive news. A few of the plants are producing a bit of
fruit. Of course I’m also aware of the
fact that stress can act as a stimulus to produce more fruit before death
occurs. I guess I’ll just have to wait a
few years to see how things are trending.
Hi Steve...From pest to peacocks to today interesting posts!!
ReplyDeleteBoy there seem to be a new insect ever year...just don't send this one here or maybe he is!! It has been to dang hot to check!!
My biggest problems right now are Japanese beetles ,and the Asian lily beetle grrrrr!!
I sometimes wonder what happens to one, and
another comes in..for instance I used to be overrun with those yucky brown and orange slugs, I hardly see one now, but I have the little snails with soft shells eating everything where there is dark and damp plants! That has only been a few years that I started seeing them!
Well "whatyagonado" that's Maine talk for "what are you going to do" : }} Could you imagine if we spelled the way we run our words together...ha ha!!
Thanks for your input on the Luna Moth...I imagine there are things like that we will never know the actual truth about !
I wish I had this much will to dig into my studies when I was in school : }
Grace
Hi Grace. Thanks for the lesson in Maine talk. It may come in handy if I travel up that way someday. I'm not sure what language I speak. I just know that most people don't seem to understand what I'm say.
ReplyDelete