Pests on plums - Ask Extension
We noticed these insects on our plums several weeks ago; they are oval in shape, orange with black markings, and they were attached to the plum by one...
Knowledgebase
Pests on plums #148518
Asked August 21, 2013, 9:04 PM EDT
We noticed these insects on our plums several weeks ago; they are oval in shape, orange with black markings, and they were attached to the plum by one end (I assume laying eggs in the fruit?). Here is a photo of our plums now - with exoskeletons of said insects still attached, oozing "sap"; many of the fruit have split. What are the insects and how do we eradicate them in the least toxic way? Will they affect our apples? Thanks!
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Can you get a clearer picture of just the insect? I can't tell from this image what these are. The splitting of the fruit is probably not related to whatever these are. Splitting is usually related to water, too much water can cause fruit to split.
Here are better photos. The orange insect is about 1/4" long. Also see holes in leaves, small slim black beetle-like being lurking inside of pit. Maybe two or more kinds of pests?I am most interested in the i.d. of the orange one.
Thanks for your help,
Laura
Thanks for your help,
Laura
Ok, the good news is neither of these is a pest. The black and orange insect is a ladybird beetle (ladybug) pupa. These beetles feed on aphids and spider mites so are considered beneficial. The beetle inside the pit appears to be a ground beetle, also not a pest. The splitting is almost certainly caused by too much irrigation water (or rain but we've not had much rain this summer), but I think some other things can cause splitting as well.
