STOP! Don't Kill the Aphids!

[Alison]

Or maybe a cat got hold of the parent.

Wouldn't cause eye popping though


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[veggiechicken]

...............or a sparrowhawk. I've seen them taking birds off the bird feeder hanging from the house wall.
Nature is red in tooth and claw.

[Bigmallly]

Wouldn't cause eye popping though

I read it as eye popping was the sight of the dead babes.

[veggiechicken]

So did I I thought KofA's eyes popped at the sight of the dead birds.

[Knight of Albion]

No, the baby bird's eyes had popped out of their sockets, indicating they'd been poisoned.

[Alison]

No, the baby bird's eyes had popped out of their sockets, indicating they'd been poisoned.

Yes, that's what I thought you meant, it's a truly repulsive sight.


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[Knight of Albion]

Yes, that's what I thought you meant, it's a truly repulsive sight.

The saddest thing was they were within a day or two of being big enough to fly the nest ...

[yummersetter]

Back to human babies . . congratulations to your family on your family, FB. I haven't sprayed any aphids ( or anything else) in thirty years and find that most infestations disappear quickly - lots of beings seem to enjoy dining on the glut of greenfly.

[FB.]

The bees are at it again this year.
This morning I watched as they (mostly bumblebees) landed on aphid colonies to feed on the sweet excrement which the ants 'farm' from the aphids.

[Guest]

I saw little bumbles doing the same on a cherry tree yesterday (mentioned in another thread). I wondered why. Now I know. TY

[Nicos]

Good reminder- thanks!

[FB.]

....and today there were bees feeding on the aphid honeydew and small garden birds eating the aphids.

If those aphids had been sprayed, the bees would have been contaminated (and probably died from the insecticide) and the birds may well have eaten the poison (and either be ill or die).

Be careful treating aphids with chemicals because it may have knock-on effects to a wide range of other insects and birds.

[Sarico]

....and today there were bees feeding on the aphid honeydew and small garden birds eating the aphids.

If those aphids had been sprayed, the bees would have been contaminated (and probably died from the insecticide) and the birds may well have eaten the poison (and either be ill or die).

Be careful treating aphids with chemicals because it may have knock-on effects to a wide range of other insects and birds.

I think wildlife have more right then us on our plants. Today I found 3 tiny lady bird on my tomato that where planted yesterday.

[BUFFS]

For those who've been wondering where I disappeared to.....

just asking, was that the making or the looking after you were referring to?......many congratulations, looks a real little belter, enjoy it now as their problems seem to grow with them but well done you lucky pair..

[Martin H]

Aphids have made a right mess of my apple trees this year. I took my eye off the ball early on, when there were lots of ladybirds about but not an aphid to be seen. Unfortunately in the last month populations have rocketed.

Here's a couple of typical Bramley spurs. The leaves are all curled and even shrivelled while the fruits are disfigured with reddish patches:



I noticed quite a few ladybird larvae while thinning the fruit, so maybe we're over the worst for this year. My question is, will the fruits themselves recover from the aphid damage, or is 2015 going to be a write-off? Here's a close-up of a couple of the young fruit: