Subject: Re: Bugs only bug unhealthy plants?
From: dianne@lox.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca (Dianne Murray)
Organization: Achilles Internet Ltd.
Date: 10 Aug 1997 06:01:26 GMT
Message-ID: <MOD$970810.19777@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$970804.12169@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$970806.2012@rec.gardens.ecosystems>


In article <MOD$970806.2012@rec.gardens.ecosystems>, T Hodges wrote:

>But if you get an insect that multiplies rapidly and you don't
>have predators (for that insect) that also can breed very fast
what about a mollusc... I'm thinking here of the slugs that
chew through my violets ever year without fail.

does anyone know of a predator for these? I have spiders
and lacewings and ladybirds a plenty even though my yard
is teensy.

but none of those would be much against a slug.

>then the grazing rate can quickly exceed the plant growth
>rate and severe damage will result unless something is done to
>control the population of the herbivore.
yes - exactly. mots of the garden takes care of itself.

>The most desireable approach is to control all the herbivores by
>having active and diverse predator populations that respond to
>increases in any herbivore with increased predation. But if

>find some way to control it. A broad spectrum insecticide will kill
>many of your predators where it is applied so if you are trying for
>biocontrol that will need to be followed by measures to restore
>the predator populations.

I thnk a lot depends on how large a chunk of land you're dealing with.
For small areas, hand picking herbivores works fine.

-Dianne