Hi everybody:
Good evening from Buenos Aires.
Finally, I could manage to have some info on a pest that is invading my garden.
I decided to post it to the list, in case you might help me with an organic
remedy.
These critters, are called in latin: Scapteriscus borelli, and Scapteriscus
didactylus. They are awful looking carterpillars, white, and with an orange
head, and they dig tunnels so quickly!
They live digging tunnels and lived grouped by families. The depth they can be
can reach 50 cm, which is quite a lot!
It is yet not known if they eat roots, or just destroy those ones they find
while digging, the fact is that the new insects, when they are babies, can
devastate the garden in spring and summer. So now is the time, while they are
still larvae cartepillars, to destroy this plague. I am starting to feel like
Kamala Killer, but this time it will be with a different kind of pest,
I thank you for any income you can give me!
Best wishes for all of you.
-Danielita-
Buenos Aires/Argentina
South America
danlowe@overnet.com.ar
Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird
that cannot fly.
Hi, As I posted this before, and didn't get any answer, nor system confirmation
of arrival, I am posting back again.
-Danielita-
Buenos Aires/Argentina
South America
danlowe@overnet.com.ar
Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird
that cannot fly.
> Hi everybody:
> Good evening from Buenos Aires.
> Finally, I could manage to have some info on a pest that is invading my
garden.
be
> can reach 50 cm, which is quite a lot!
> It is yet not known if they eat roots, or just destroy those ones they find
> while digging, the fact is that the new insects, when they are babies, can
> devastate the garden in spring and summer. So now is the time, while they
are
> still larvae cartepillars, to destroy this plague. I am starting to feel
like
Danielilla,
The mole cricket grubs that you describe are not really referred to as
caterpillars but I know what you mean. And yes, they are hideous looking
and they can do a lot of damage. I'm not suprised that they tunnel down to
a depth of 18" during the winter. They may even go deeper if the ground is
very cold. They do eat roots, and even stems underground. They can also
feed on plant parts and fruit that touch the ground, such as strawberries
and other fruits.
Beneficial nematodes are well known for controlling such pests. There are
various species of steinernema, of which some are better suited to certain
regions than others. The Steinernema carpocapsae seems to be the most
generally suited to a wide range of soils. Most people are happy with the
SC nematode. Entomopathogenic nematodes, such as S. carpocapsae, enter
the target host through a body opening and mature and reproduce inside.
The adult nematode produces a bacterium which decomposes the flesh of
the host insect, which it feeds upon. The young nematodes feed on the
decomposing insect and emerge as infective juveniles to search for new
hosts. The only drawback for you may be that nematodes will have to be
shipped DHL or FEDEX and the International rates could make this a very
expensive proposition.
An alternative may be to inoculate the soil with a bacteria which will
weaken the eggs to the point where they may not survive. The manufacturer
of F-68 Soil Conditioner claims that the bacteria in F-68 will reduce most
soil pest eggs by 50% the first year, 80% the second, and better than 90%
the third. In addition to destroying insect eggs, F-68 was developed to
correct salinity in the soil, decompose residues, release blocked fertilizer
nutrients and to increase germination of seeds, and improve conditions for
seedlings, and transplants. F-68 could be sent to Argentina by U.S. Postal
Service, which would be less expensive but would of course take longer.
In addition, Niban Granular Bait is being used effectively to control adult
mole crickets. Niban is sold in 5 lb (2.26 kg) jars and the application rate
is
approximately 2 lbs per 1000 sq ft, which I might translate to approximately
1 kilogram per 100 sq meters.
If the grubs are destroying your garden, the quickest organic control might
be
with beneficial nematodes. You can additionally control adult crickets
(grillos)
by using Niban. F-68 will give you long term control, but the effects will
not
be immediately noticed in any great degree.
As for income, I'm always open to interested distributorships, although
I think what you meant to say was "input". Why not ship a few cases of
F-68 and Niban to Buenos Aires and you can sell it for a small profit and
treat your own garden for free?
All the best,
Eric W. Acosta - Director
Biocontrol Network
Bio-rational Alternatives for a Small Planet
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America Online: ebugs@aol.com Internet: bionet@usit.net
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