Gnawed roots, withered plants, tubers pitted, dead plants, devour strawberry. This is the sad result of stay in the area of soil pests. Often, they become a real disaster for many gardeners. So much work for nothing... you familiar with this situation?
If yes, then it is time to put an end to this barbarism. If you are not familiar, you lucky! But this article you will be very useful too. As the saying goes: forewarned - is forearmed.
Who are they? Who so cruelly robs us of the harvest? And how to deal with them? Let's face it.
Cockchafer (Chrusch)
Mass of his departure is in April, May and June. Adults - this is only half the problem. By themselves, they do not pose any threat to plants. But their larvae - it's a real disaster!
First stage. egg-laying
Female June bug penetrates into the soil at 10-20 cm, and there lays 50 to 70 eggs. This process takes from it is absolutely all the forces. Therefore, lay their eggs, the female immediately dies. Deferred eggs in the soil is approximately 2 mm. A month later, the larvae emerge from them - small white worms.
Under the ground, they feel comfortable enough, moving with surprising ease. In the first year of life, they feed on the remains of humus roots.
Second phase. larvae
Did you know that cockchafer larva is alive and growing in the soil 3 to 4 years?
Every year, these creatures have become ugly and voracious. In the second year of life, it is no longer enough humus root residues. They rise above all to the surface and begin to destroy the root system of cultivated plants.
By the third year of life the larvae become more insatiable. Begin to devour the roots of fruit and berry bushes, potatoes, carrots, beets and other root crops. At the last stage of the May beetle larva reaches a length of 4-6 cm.
The third stage. pupa
Upon reaching the age of three years, with the advent of June, the larvae of the May beetle stop feeding. They go deep into the soil at 30-60 cm. There begins the next stage of their development - the transformation into a pupa. A month later, from the chrysalis is formed adults. Hibernate young insect remains in the ground. When spring cockchafers selected on the surface and the cycle closes.
How to get rid of the May beetle:
- The most effective way - to collect larvae by hand. Yes, it is difficult and long, but productive. The use of insecticides, unfortunately, specific positive results does not.
- Around the fruit trees and between the rows of fruit bushes recommended sown oilseed rape, mustard or white clover. These cultures are enriched with nitrogen land, but it is very do not like larvae of cockchafer.
- The recommended scrutinize imported to the site soil as a prevention. And also need to check the organic fertilizer is laid in a bed.
- Reliably protect young seedlings can be applying in their planting protective drugs to treat roots. On the infected area, these funds should contribute to the soil and buried to a depth of 7-10 cm per month.
- Attracting starlings site will help get rid of most adults Khrushchev and their larvae. According to statistics - one such bird family catches and eats a season of about 8000 of these insects.
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