Part III: Aphids

Part III: Aphids

It is wise to keep a watchful eye on your Crepe Myrtles. If the leaves start to shrivel or drop, you have a problem. If the tree starts to stress due to lack of water, it will also be more likely to be vulnerable to pests such as aphids. You will find black spots on the underside of the leaves if it's aphids. Where are the ladybugs when you need them?

"Crape myrtle aphids are found from May through September, with peak populations during July and early August. Crape myrtle aphid adults and nymphs are pale yellow-green with black spots on their abdomens and range from 1 /16 to 1 /8 inch in length. These aphids generally feed on the underside of crape myrtle leaves. They feed by inserting their needle-like mouthparts into the soft tissue and extracting plant sap. As aphids feed, they inject saliva into the leaf tissue which causes yellow leaf spots to develop. Heavy infestations can deform leaves and stunt new growth. Buds, branch tips and flowers can also be damaged by feeding injury. " [SOURCE: http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/publications/epubs/eee_00022.cfm]

"Aphids, also known as plant lice and in Britain and the Commonwealth as greenflies, blackflies or whiteflies, (not to be confused with "jumping plant lice" or true whiteflies) are small sap sucking insects, and members of the superfamily Aphidoidea.[1] Aphids are among the most destructive insect pests on cultivated plants in temperate regions.[1] The damage they do to plants has made them enemies of farmers and gardeners the world over, but from a zoological standpoint they are a very successful group of organisms.[2] Their success is in part due to the asexual reproduction capability of some species." [SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphid]

PART I: About Crepe Myrtles a.k.a. Crape Myrtles

PART II: Crepe Murder

PART III: Aphids

PART IV: Release of the Ladybugs!