Watch for Leafhoppers
Leafhoppers are slender, delicate sucking insects
about 1⁄8 inch or less in length. They drain plants of important
juices, which results in the curling and whitening of leaves. Sometimes
the tips of leaves die on plants. Some leafhoppers transmit disease. Commonly
attacked plants include: aster, calendula, gladiolus, dahlia, hollyhock,
marigold, rose and zinnia.
Control these pests with malathion dust or spray with liquid malathion
or cygon. Never use the same sprayer for insecticides and fungicides as
you do for weed killers. Fine-mesh netting, often called “row cover”
is a non-poisonous way to control insect pests, as well as squirrels and
birds that often feed upon strawberries and blueberries.