Bugs on peach trees are repelled by beneficial insects and companion plants.
Bugs, insects and worms that damage fruit trees include coddling moth, peach twig borer, thrips, scab and many types of leafrollers. The integrated pest management approach to fruit tree care emphasizes the use of natural predators to control damaging bugs and diseases. Lacewings, leatherwing beetles, ladybird beetles, ground beetles, wasps, praying mantis and pirate bugs control or repel harmful insect pests on fruit trees. Unnecessary use of insect sprays reduces the control provided by beneficial insect species. Does this Spark an idea?
Leafrollers
Fruit tree leafrollers feed on tender new leaves in spring, giving them a ragged look. Leaves are rolled together tightly and bound with silken thread, creating a compact hiding place for the leafroller moths and larvae. Deep feeding grooves or bronze-colored scars are created as young fruit develops. Lacewings, beetles and birds eat leafroller larvae. Horticultural oil spray is used in the larvae stage of development. Tachinid flies and ichneumonid wasps are also natural predators of the leafroller.
Thrips
Thrips are small, slender-winged bugs that feed on fruit trees by sucking out cell contents. They are less than 1/20-inch long and range in color from translucent to yellow or brownish. Fruit tree thrips feed on the underside of leaves. Depressed cavities, fruit scarring and distorted shape result from thrip infestation. Thrips are repelled or killed by the use of horticultural oil sprays and beneficial insect predators.
Peach Tree Borers
Growing grapes, garlic, onion and asparagus near peach trees creates a mutually beneficial environment. Garlic provides a natural bug repellent chemical compound for peach tree borers. Peach tree borers are dirty white or light brown in the larvae stage, changing to brown and white segments as they mature. Infected leaves and twigs die back one to several inches from the tip. Sprays must be applied to control the hatching larvae before they enter a tree branch.
Companion Planting
Companion planting in the home fruit tree orchard includes the use of plants that exude chemical compounds and essential oils that repel bugs. Strong-smelling herbs such as garlic, onion, yarrow and tansy repel fruit tree bugs such as aphids and whiteflies. Lemon balm, marjoram and oregano, valerian and chamomile repel bugs and also attract beneficial insects by providing a food source and habitat.
Tags: fruit trees, beneficial insect, beneficial insects, fruit tree, garlic onion