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Post by fogerty on Jan 5, 2022 18:36:08 GMT -8
Hi all, I'm new here and know nothing about bugs so am hoping for some advice on the ones in these photos. (I have posted a Flickr link in tmy "reply" below as I don't seem to be able to attach the photos to this post.)
I've noticed the bugs flying around my sitting room for the past couple of weeks, and then yesterday I discovered around 50 of the things fried onto the exposed bulb of my uplighter lamp! I cleaned it off and this morning there were the same number again!
They leave a sort of brownish stain when squished.
I think they might have come into the house with the Christmas Tree (Norway Spruce from a local farm).
I'm in Bristol, England. What are these things and how do I get rid of them? I'm really hoping they won't infest my house plants… I'll be grateful for any help!
Mrs Fogerty
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Post by fogerty on Jan 5, 2022 18:49:53 GMT -8
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Post by livingplanet3 on Jan 5, 2022 20:35:02 GMT -8
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Post by fogerty on Jan 6, 2022 5:02:01 GMT -8
Ok. Thank you.  Will they go after my houseplants? I have a peace lily, ficus, jade and snake plants in the same room where the tree was. |
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Post by jshuey on Jan 6, 2022 10:46:48 GMT -8
Ok. Thank you. Will they go after my houseplants? I have a peace lily, ficus, jade and snake plants in the same room where the tree was. In the middle of the winter - that must be where they are coming from. Look at the stems of the plant, and see if they are attached to the stem. John |
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Post by exoticimports on Jan 6, 2022 10:52:54 GMT -8
Aphids love ficus. They suck the juice out of the plant, leaving the stem and underside of the leaves all sticky. See if it's sticky.
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Post by fogerty on Jan 6, 2022 19:44:33 GMT -8
No stickiness on the ficus leaves or stem, and I don't see anything lurking there.
Also, I have had the ficus for five or more years, and these critters only appeared when the Christmas tree was brought in…
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jan 7, 2022 0:06:42 GMT -8
I agree it is very likely that the aphids came in on the tree. Once the wood started to dry out the winged aphids decided it was time to move to find a new host. It is possible that these aphids are specific to pines and may not attack your houseplants, but you should check all of them regularly just in case.
Adam.
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Post by fogerty on Jan 7, 2022 5:04:01 GMT -8
Oh yes I will keep checking them faithfully. (My house plants are like friends to me!)
I just managed to get rid of a fungus gnat infestation a few months ago so not best pleased about the Christmas tree.
Thank you all for the advice.
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Post by fogerty on Jan 7, 2022 5:08:39 GMT -8
Could they be sawflies? I was just looking at the link livingplanet3 posted above. |
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Post by kevinkk on Jan 7, 2022 10:19:55 GMT -8
Not sawflies. Sawflies have a life cycle that includes a larva, unlike aphids which have simple metamorphosis, the young looking like the adults
generally.
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Post by fogerty on Jan 7, 2022 15:45:06 GMT -8
That's good to know. Thank you.
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