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Author Topic: Bulb Log 32 - 12th August 2009  (Read 1422 times)

Maggi Young

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Bulb Log 32 - 12th August 2009
« on: August 21, 2009, 02:08:54 PM »
In this Log, from the other week, Ian showed a bulb eating pest, which he called a chafer grub. He knew it wasn't the beastie we usually know as a chafer grub, but he thought that it was some kind of beetle grub. :-X

This, inspite of my pointing out the assorted foot parts of said critter, which marked it, for me, as some kind of caterpillar. ::) :-\

 Anthony Darby, our Forum Bug Buff, has been viewing the Log and informs us that:" In  bulb log 32, Ian shows a grub. It's not a chafer grub but the caterpillar of a Ghost Swift moth (Hepialus humuli). They are underground root feeders. One species even specialises on Bracken roots!"

While we are rather annoyed to see that the beast is prepared not only to eat roots but also to chomp into the bulbs, it is good to identify the culprit properly. Thanks, Anthony!
Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

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mark smyth

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Re: Bulb Log 32 - 12th August 2009
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2009, 02:22:48 PM »
Repotting Colchicums this week I found a tuber with very little left. The only culprit I could see were small black snails in some deeper holes
« Last Edit: August 21, 2009, 02:47:18 PM by mark smyth »
Antrim, Northern Ireland Z8
www.snowdropinfo.com / www.marksgardenplants.com / www.saveourswifts.co.uk

When the swifts arrive empty the green house

All photos taken with a Canon 900T and 230

 


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