What's Bleaching my Rebud - Ask Extension
The leaves on my redbud are full of patchy bleached out areas (see photo). There are also a lot of insects (not mites) on the leaves. The insects ap...
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What's Bleaching my Rebud #840014
Asked July 10, 2023, 8:50 PM EDT
The leaves on my redbud are full of patchy bleached out areas (see photo). There are also a lot of insects (not mites) on the leaves. The insects appear to have white immature form and gray/black adult form that both sit on the leaves and swarm around under the tree like gnats. The adults are ~1mm long and narrow. I have attached microscopic images of the immature and adult forms. the adult got a little bit mangled. It appears to have a gray black camo pattern on its outer wings.
What is this and how do I manage it?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Gary,
I believe you have spider mites.
https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7405.html
I would go ahead and spray your tree with insecticidal soap, maybe a few times really getting all of it coated. Be sure to water your tree with a 5 gallon soak if your not getting rain. The trees are getting so stressed and that gives the bugs an advantage.
I hope this helps,
Sally Granath
St. Louis MG