[Arid_gardener] Re:Grey Leaf-footed Bugs on Pomegranates

[GartenArzt]

I have the same problem here in Phoenix AZ nearly every year.  They usually 
show up on mine when the fruit splits which it usually does to some extent.. 
I would also like to know how to prevent them if anybody has any ideas.  The 
U of A info at
http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/bugs/leaf-ft.htm
and the MG Manual both tell us to "Destroy any bugs that are found. 
Immature fruits may be protected by covering with paper bags".  No mention 
is made on how to destroy or how to prevent.  And I haven't found anything 
useful with web searches.  How about contacting your El Paso County 
cooperative extension office at
http://agdirectory.tamu.edu/dept_detail.cfm?id=143&table_id=4.0
and let us know if they have any suggeations.

Olin
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----- Original Message ----- From: <CarlRutheford69 at aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 10:35 AM, CarlRutheford69 at aol.com
> A neighbor is having a problem with a pomegranate tree. For the last few 
> years all his fruit has been ruined by an insect. I have identified the 
> insect as a leaf-footed plant bug. There are 30-40 of the bugs on the 
> fruit at a time. He tried destroying them by hand but most fly away when 
> he approaches. He has tried waiting for a natural predator to take care of 
> them but nothing has happened. He stated that he removes the fruit as soon 
> as it is ripe or cracks. But he states that most of the bugs are on 
> immature fruit. He tried spraying with Malathion but the bugs were back 
> within a week. I have read as much as I could about this. The only new 
> idea mentioned was covering each fruit with a bag. There must be a better 
> way.