Best course of action for leaf critters

[sativasamuel]

Hi i was checking on my ladies this evening and via unavoidable circumstances ive lost a whole branch, sucks yes but life goes on. it did however give me a chance to check out what was up with my leaves to my dismay i found this.

It looks like some sort of leaf eater but im no expert so i dont know what. does anyone have any idea what i should do to get rid of them .


thank you guys

 

[ralston420]

Whoa, never seen those before. There are various sprays you can use against pest attacks, organic and chemical depending on what you feel safe with. Also you can buy ladybugs and put them around your plant. They eat other bugs and caterpillars. Good luck dude.

 

[sativasamuel]

Whoa, never seen those before. There are various sprays you can use against pest attacks, organic and chemical depending on what you feel safe with. Also you can buy ladybugs and put them around your plant. They eat other bugs and caterpillars. Good luck dude.

Thanks, you cant get ladybirds in the uk. not that i can find anyhoo or i would invest in them. i bought some organic spray but it did nothing except make her droop. are there any good chemicals that are smoke friendly?

 

[Carl Spackler]

Appears to be some type of Leafminer. If the damage is confined to only a few leaves I would simply pull or cut the leaves off and discard. Since leafminers live and damage the interior of the leaf structure it is unlikely that a contact type insecticide would be effective. Leafminers normally require a systemic insecticide for control and is not advised for any plant that is consumed (smoked). Mechanical removal may be the best option.

 

[sativasamuel]

Appears to be some type of Leafminer. If the damage is confined to only a few leaves I would simply pull or cut the leaves off and discard. Since leafminers live and damage the interior of the leaf structure it is unlikely that a contact type insecticide would be effective. Leafminers normally require a systemic insecticide for control and is not advised for any plant that is consumed (smoked). Mechanical removal may be the best option.

That was my thoughts precisely. Systemic is bad leafminers are bad its lose lose. Looks like I have a long day with the tweezers ahead. Any advice to prevent them coming back ?

 

[Carl Spackler]

Assuming that your grow is outdoors I would seriously consider a new location for the next. While this may not make much difference, at least you may have a chance that it wouldn't have a high population in that area. There doesn't seem to be a general consensus on what to use for leafminer control in Cannabis. Some suggest treatments with Neem, Tobacco solutions, BT or beneficial nematodes but I have no scientific or anecdotal evidence to back up any of those claims. Possible soil-drench treatments with insecticides such as Imidacloprid prior to planting show some promise. Imidiacloprid is a "neonicotinoid" and has a close molecular relation to Nicotine. It can stay persistent in the soil profile for many months offering protection from various pests in a broad range of growth stages.
If the problem only cosmetic, I would stick with removing the leaves. On a otherwise healthy plant, it is doubtful that with only a few affected leaves the vigor/yield would be reduced. How much of the plants seem to have damage?

 

[sativasamuel]

Assuming that your grow is outdoors I would seriously consider a new location for the next. While this may not make much difference, at least you may have a chance that it wouldn't have a high population in that area. There doesn't seem to be a general consensus on what to use for leafminer control in Cannabis. Some suggest treatments with Neem, Tobacco solutions, BT or beneficial nematodes but I have no scientific or anecdotal evidence to back up any of those claims. Possible soil-drench treatments with insecticides such as Imidacloprid prior to planting show some promise. Imidiacloprid is a "neonicotinoid" and has a close molecular relation to Nicotine. It can stay persistent in the soil profile for many months offering protection from various pests in a broad range of growth stages.
If the problem only cosmetic, I would stick with removing the leaves. On a otherwise healthy plant, it is doubtful that with only a few affected leaves the vigor/yield would be reduced. How much of the plants seem to have damage?

Next grow is already planned, new place MUCH bigger greenhouse and a proper ventilation system.

Ive removed a few VERY affected leaves and tweezed the buggers of the other leaves. sprayed it with some pesticide and cleaned the area im growing it.

thanks for your advice