I planted two new desert willows about a month ago and saw these guys hanging out on a few leaves. There was a ladybug right next to them and I’m just curious if anyone here knows what they are or if I should brush them off or not.
by MrCountdownCity
4 Comments
Aphids. Eliminate with extreme prejudice immediately. You can squish them with your fingers (that’s the 100% most effective way to get rid of them) or you can blast them with a hose. The hose method works well but may not actually kill them.
APHIDS!!! 🤺🤺🤺
You have young ladybird beetles (the white fluffy things) in with the aphids, which means the natural aphid slaughter has already begun and will likely be brought under control soon, without you having to do anything.
If you kill the ladybird beetles in the process of wiping away the aphids, you might prolong your problem, because they take longer to arrive than the aphids.
In general, I only wipe away aphids myself if there is no sign of any predators.
Aphids. When new growth is still tender on desert willows it can get aphids in wetter conditions. It’s not that much of a problem for desert willows, since you have ladybugs let the ladybugs eat them. If they keep increasing just wash em off with a hose.