[Arid_gardener] Wonderful Pomegranate Pests

[bit_eimer]

Hi Dick et al,

The leaf-footed bug to which I referred is shown in the following link
http://www.forestry.ubc.ca/fetch21/FRST308/lab2/leptoglossus_occidentalis/le
af.html.  As described on this site, they insert their proboscises into the
pomegranate to suck out the juice.  Often, after hitting one with a squirt
of diluted castile soap, it will dangle by that proboscis until finally
getting purchase to pull it out of the fruit.

The only "soldier bug" that I could find in my web-searching was the "spined
soldier bug" (http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/aimg80.html), an apparently
beneficial predator.  It looks nothing like the evil little stinkers that
are eating my pomegranates! :^)

As to roof rats, perhaps you are lucky to live in an area as yet uninvaded.
We (Ahwatukee) started having problems about 4 years ago and I've caught
upwards of 20-30 in that time, mostly using Havahart live traps.  Roof rats
will chew a 1.5" diameter hole in the pomegranate and completely hollow it
out in one night.  Unfortunately they can also attack drip irrigation lines
and exposed wiring.  One got into our pool heatpump and completely consumed
two sets of thin sensor wires.

We are fortunate that none have ever moved into our attic, but our next-door
neighbors had a pair, doing considerable damage to stored items.

We did have a family of 7 (2 adults and 5 juveniles) that made a home in our
compost bin.  I had to completely screen it in with 1/2" hardware cloth,
after which I was able to trap them all.

...Derek
 



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dick [mailto:rkgross3 at cox.net]
> Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 1:32 PM
> To: bit_eimer; arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
> Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] RE: Wonderful Pomegranate location question
> 
> An amateur Master Gardener, I have been a home grower for 63 years but am
> still learning as are my teachers many of whom are, however, in denial.
> Soldier bugs (leaf footed may not be the same thing), can be a pest but I
> have, in the past, washed them off with water.  After several washings,
> they
> tend to seek alternate living quarters at a neighbor's home. I've never
> seen
> a plant killed dead by these bugs but they must be living on what they are
> living in and, fortunately, haven't  encountered them at all  in my
> several
> citrus. Tell me if I am wrong but I've never considered them a major
> threat.
> 
> I also have several mature citrus and Wonderful Pomegranate impacting
> eaves
> and and overhang without ever hosting a roof rat. The rapping is me
> knocking
> on wood. I would go nuts!
> 
> Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
> ----- Original Message -----
>