AusBonsai

Just an update on the maple bugs I posted at the start of this month. I have tried systemic sprays, confidor and malithon, pest oil and contact sprays with now result. If anything they have come back in greater numbers. I have posted , i hope , better pics with the hope someone can ID these flying monsters and save my poor Japanese maples .
HELPPPPPPPPPPPPP Bonsaiboy50

i think there called a SUPER BUG ( immune to any pesticide) . On a serous note i dont know what they are, certainlly not from the aphid family or malithon would of bowled them over. GOOD luck with them and i hope they never get here

noah78 wrote:i think there called a SUPER BUG ( immune to any pesticide) . On a serous note i dont know what they are, certainlly not from the aphid family or malithon would of bowled them over. GOOD luck with them and i hope they never get here

I have another name for them , it is *&^%$#@ rotten $^&**& &^ little %$# $ %^^^&&& bugs

Hi, I was reading one of my bonsai books tonight and came across these pictures of an insect called Aphids. The book says " These are sap-suckers that multiply at an obscene rate. The first signs of aphid infestation are distorted shoot tips which appear in early summer. Aphids are annoying but are not at all that difficult to control."
These little guys look similar to the bugs in your pictures. I have no idea if they are the same or how to treat them as the book does not tell you any more information!!
Hope this helps.

Cheers, Matt

They look like no Aphids I've ever seen, but if they are, a few pots of Marigolds should keep them away.

hey mate, its unlucky yo hear that you have them aswell, i have been trying to figure out what they were, they just go for the fresh shoots on my Japanese maples, they look a little bit like a small fruit fly, they dont attack trident maples only japs, i hope we can find out what will get rid off them, they are giving my plants alot of stress. maybe winter will ward them off. cheers simo

Pretty sure Aphids come with the cold, Lady Bugs eat them if you can get your hands on any.

simo_5 wrote:hey mate, its unlucky yo hear that you have them aswell, i have been trying to figure out what they were, they just go for the fresh shoots on my Japanese maples, they look a little bit like a small fruit fly, they dont attack trident maples only japs, i hope we can find out what will get rid off them, they are giving my plants alot of stress. maybe winter will ward them off. cheers simo

Hi Simo, They do look like a small fruit fly and as you say only attack the fresh shoots. The only other thing I can think of to controll them is to regularly spray with a contact insectiside, to at least controll the numbers. I have given up for this season as it will not be long till the japs loose there leaves. The battle will continue next year hopefully with more success
Bonsaiboy50

does anyone know of the bug at the top? it seems to attack only the new shoots of my maples only, they are destroying my beauties!

dunno if you've tried this but pyrethrum seems to deal with all my bugs

Iv had these on my Japanese maple, Mix water and a little oil with few drops dishwashing liquid in spray bottle. They were all DEAD Next day. It was too easy,Couldnt believe how simple but yet so affective.

Guy wrote:dunno if you've tried this but pyrethrum seems to deal with all my bugs

or are they attracted to a "fungus" infection

thanks guys, yeah i tried some diluted lime sulphure, when they return il try the oil diturgent and water mixture.

roka wrote:Iv had these on my Japanese maple, Mix water and a little oil with few drops dishwashing liquid in spray bottle. They were all DEAD Next day. It was too easy,Couldnt believe how simple but yet so affective.

Hi roka , I will try this as nothing else seems to work. The little buggers are all over my maples again so i am desperate to controll them. Just one question, what type of oil do you use and what quantitys do you use ( thats 2 questions lol)
cheers bonsaiboy

I didnt really measure. I just mixed by eye But it would be about a 2-3 caps of olive oil..Thats if you buy your olive oil in bottles, then mix with warm- hot water, a little dish detergent(Half tea spoon) in standard 500-750ml hand spray bottle. I use warm water as it helps it mix together better. Give it a good hard shake and spray on trunk, branches, top and under leaves. Just keep constantley shaking the mixture as your doing it, so the oil is evenly mixed with water. When you make the mixture it will go white /cloudy and thats normal. Tell us how you went with it.