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Details:
  • Date Photo Taken

    06 / 04 / 2013

  • Season Photo Was Taken

    Summer

  • Region Photo Was Taken

    West

  • City

    Los Angeles

  • State

    California

  • Posted by

    beachbum44

Notes:

Please help identify what type of insect(s) are eating my vegetables. Photos are of spinach, kale, and cabbage (I think), but all of my leafy veggies look like this (brussels sprouts, chard, broccoli leaves, lettuce, and eggplant). Some tomato leaves have it too. I have 2 raised beds with a drip irrigation system. I’ve seen small green caterpillars, aphids, and clusters of dark dots. I bought some organic spray, but it isn’t effective. I’m a new gardener so any assistance is GREATLY appreciated.

Comments

  • stone Master Identifier says:

    Personally, I might go out early in the morning and hand pick slugs and caterpillars. More likely… I’d leave everything alone. By leaving the critters alone, they balance out, and I avoid exposure to dangerous chemicals. When I get a serious caterpillar infestation, I’d be likely to turn that particular crop under, and try growing something else. I’m really not seeing enough damage on the spinach to be concerned. Yesterday… I was photographing a spider wasp (Anoplius sp.) carrying around a cricket larger than she was! http://stonethegardener.tumblr.com/post/52548425016/spider-wasp-with-cricket

    June 9th, 2013 at 11:49am

  • beachbum44 Apprentice says:

    Thanks, Stone! I haven’t seen any slugs or grasshoppers. Would I be able to see them? I don’t know where my kale photo went…the 2nd photo isn’t mine. I have beans, potatoes, and tomatoes growing, but want to be able to harvest my broccoli, kale, cabbage, etc. too. Any suggestions on how to get rid of whatever is eating them?? Thank you!

    June 6th, 2013 at 11:30pm

  • stone Master Identifier says:

    The damage to the spinach looks a bit like slug or grasshopper damage. Not sure what critters you have out in LA, but the problem could well be that you planted your cool season plants too late… My spinach has bolted, and the rabbits are giving me a ton of grief with the beets and carrots. Time to plant beans n squash n sweet potatoes and tomatoes.

    June 5th, 2013 at 11:54am

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