Buzz
If you’ve noticed damage and discoloration on your garden's fruits and vegetables, you may have encountered leaf-footed bugs. These sizable insects feed on plant juices but are not the most destructive pests. However, they can still cause significant infestations. Fortunately, there are numerous natural and organic methods to eliminate leaf-footed bugs without resorting to chemicals. Read on to learn how to identify these bugs and effectively control their population.
Procedures
Spotting Leaf-Footed Bugs
Identify dark bugs with a white stripe on their wings. Leaf-footed bugs are commonly found on plants such as apples, beans, peppers, berries, tomatoes, and various fruits and vegetables. Examine your plants for bugs measuring around 1⁄4–3⁄4 in (0.64–1.91 cm) long. Look for narrow brown or black bodies with a distinct white zigzag pattern on the back of their wings. They might also display a row of white dots along the outer edges of their wings and sides of their bodies
- Some leaf-footed bugs may have yellow dots behind their head or a sharp point extending from the head.
Look for leaf-shaped projections on the hind legs of leaf-footed bugs. These distinctive leaf-shaped structures can be observed on the lower part of their hind legs, resembling a fan-shaped leaf that is easily noticeable on mature leaf-footed bugs.
- It's important to distinguish leaf-footed bugs from beneficial assassin bugs, so ensure you identify the leaf-shaped fan on their hind legs.
Identify young leaf-footed bugs by their reddish-orange bodies. Juvenile leaf-footed bugs exhibit a similar body structure to adults but with a lighter color and no wings. Look for clusters of nymphs with dark heads and reddish or orange bodies.
- These nymphs mature into adults approximately five weeks after hatching.
Spot strands of leaf-footed bug eggs on leaves during spring. Adult leaf-footed bugs migrate to plants in spring and lay eggs on twigs or leaf veins. Inspect your plants during spring for a row of around 20 small golden-brown eggs connected together.
- Leaf-footed bugs typically lay eggs in the first two months of spring.
- Eggs of leaf-footed bugs hatch within one week, so monitor your plants closely during this period.
Examine plants for signs of damage, soft areas, and stunted growth. Leaf-footed bugs pierce fruits with their elongated mouthparts, leaving small punctures that may develop into yellow or black lesions. Fruit attacked during early development may exhibit weakening and premature dropping from the plant.
- On pomegranates, leaf-footed bug infestations may not display external damage but can result in seeds with altered color and reduced flavor.
- Leaf-footed bugs also leave behind black excrement resembling dirt, which can coat the fruit surface and render it unappealing.
Manual Removal of Leaf-Footed Bugs
Begin daily plant inspections during spring. Leaf-footed bugs quickly transition from winter shelters to plants as temperatures rise. Check your plants daily or every other day to catch and remove any leaf-footed bugs early.
- Early inspection helps prevent egg and nymph spread.
Protect your hands with gardening gloves. Leaf-footed bugs, like stink bugs, leave an unpleasant odor on skin. Always wear gardening gloves to handle bugs without dealing with the smell.
Inspect plants for bugs and eggs in the morning. Leaf-footed bugs are less active in the morning, making them easier to find. Begin with dense leaf clusters, gently pulling leaves to reveal bugs or eggs. Check fruit clusters as plants grow.
- Look for rope-like eggs beneath leaves and along twigs.
Dispose of bugs and eggs in soapy water. Crush bugs or eggs and drop them in a bucket with warm water and dish soap to kill them. Alternatively, shake bugs onto the ground and step on them immediately or use a handheld vacuum to remove them.
- Ensure you empty the vacuum after use.
Managing Leaf-Footed Bugs
Clean up winter shelters like woodpiles. Leaf-footed bugs hide in debris during winter, so removing clutter prevents them from staying. Seal entrances to your home and cover openings in barns or sheds to keep bugs out.
- Seal small entrances to prevent bugs from entering your home.
- Remove hiding spots in barns or sheds by covering cracks and openings.
Eradicate weeds near your garden. Weeds are a primary food source for leaf-footed bugs, so eliminating them reduces bug survival. Check for new weeds regularly and pull them immediately to deter leaf-footed bugs.
- Mow grassy areas to prevent weed growth.
- Consider using weed-killing spray, but be cautious as it may harm other plants.
Trim infested plant branches and stems. Prune branches with many leaf-footed bugs to remove them. Cut using pruning shears or a saw, leaving space between branches and the ground to reduce hiding spots.
- Regular pruning makes it easier to spot and catch bugs.
- Wear gloves while pruning to protect your skin from plant sap.
Attract beneficial animals to your garden. Creatures like wasps, flies, birds, spiders, and assassin bugs naturally prey on leaf-footed bugs. Encourage these animals to hunt bugs in your garden.
- Attract birds with feeders, baths, and nesting areas.
Use row covers to protect plants from bugs. Install row covers at the start of spring to prevent bugs from laying eggs. These covers allow light in while keeping bugs out, but use them carefully to avoid trapping beneficial insects.
- Row covers are suitable for self-pollinating plants like tomatoes.
- Check plants regularly for other pests trapped by the covers.
Grow sunflowers as a trap crop near your garden. Plant sunflowers close to your garden to attract leaf-footed bugs for egg-laying. Monitor the sunflowers regularly in spring for bugs and eggs, removing them promptly to prevent infestation of your fruits and vegetables.
Use natural insecticides as a last resort. Apply natural insecticides like insecticidal soap and neem oil early in spring to control leaf-footed bugs. These insecticides are effective against nymphs and adults, but follow the usage instructions and wash fruits before consumption.
- If facing a severe infestation, consider using permethrin as a chemical pesticide, although it may harm beneficial insects.
Helpful Advice
Necessary Tools
Manual Bug Removal
Managing Leaf-Footed Bugs
- Pruning shears
- Row covers
- Neem oil or insecticidal soap
- Permethrin pesticides (for severe infestations only)
