Horticulturalist Duncan Cocking, who runs Kyneton-based Leaf, Root & Fruit, discusses the march of the harlequin bugs.
The mild conditions of spring, high humidity and rampant flushes of plant growth create opportunities for pests to thrive. Each year is a little bit different, but in October and early November there’s always a pest species or two that tends to dominate. Sometimes it’s slugs, other years it’s earwigs, aphids or whitefly.
For me, this year it’s harlequin bugs. Since I first discovered them in my garden two years ago, I’ve noticed they are very seasonal and they proliferate during dry spells. They must really appreciate the relatively dry and mild spring we are experiencing in 2024.
I haven’t resorted to undertaking any form of control strategies for the harlequin bugs, but if you are suffering from “harlequin mania” then my blog post gives you some control methods to try. Regardless of the pest in question, I generally don’t conduct any form of pest control. This post about population dynamics helps to explain why.
Happy gardening!
Duncan
🪲 For more gardening tips see my latest planting guide and garden update.