DATE:    11/26/98   
WRITERS: Bob Polomski, Extension consumer horticulturist,
         (864) 656-2604
         Randy Griffin, Extension entomologist, (864) 656-5045
EDITOR:  Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876

Saving Rutabagas from Aphids

     Q. The rutabagas in my home garden are covered with aphids. 
What can I do to rid my plants of these plant lice?
     A. Aphids are soft-bodied insects that range in color from
green, yellow, red, gray, or black. They suck the juices from
leaves and stems causing stunted or deformed buds and sometimes
curled or puckered leaves.
     Aphids can carry viral diseases to plants. High numbers of
aphids produce a sticky sap called honeydew, which eventually
gets a black, sooty mold growing on it. Expect many generations
per year.
     Beneficial insects such as lady beetles and syrphid flies
prey upon aphids. However, during the cool months of fall,
consider taking action yourself. Aphids can sometimes be washed
from plants with a strong stream of water. 
     To control a light population of aphids, consider using an
insecticidal soap such as M-PEDE. This material is quite
effective on aphids if excellent coverage is achieved. Most full
service garden centers should carry some sort of insecticidal
soap.
     Larger infestations can be controlled with either malathion 
(you must wait 3 days before harvest) and diazinon (you must wait
14 days before harvest). Both of these insecticides are cleared
for use on rutabagas.  
     Honey bees should not be visiting the crop unless it is
blooming, so these materials should not pose a threat to the bee
population. 
     To learn more about these and other pests in your garden and
landscape, visit the Clemson Entomology Insect Information web
site at: http://entweb.clemson.edu/cuentres/ and "This Month in
Your Garden" at:
http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/hort/homehort/tmiyghom.htm .
                 *****************************
     If you have gardening questions or comments, write to
Agricultural News and Publications, A-101 Poole Agricultural
Center, Box 340311, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0311.
You might also want to check out other Buds and Blooms columns
under 1998 News Releases at:
http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/agcomm/ .
                              END