[laalaa]

I have a sage plant that is a really good sized plant. 3 years old now i think. it's being devoured by something, and it's left my sage unusable really. I tried to pick some today to use, and it was just covered with these tiny whiteish-greenish stripey bugs that were hopping all over when i shook the plant. i don't think they fly. i've tried to identify this bug, but i'm clueless?? my poor sage is covered, and i've noticed it's quite eaten, with white spots on the leaves... :shock:

any advice?
bearing in mind that i'm trying to be organic...i am quite discouraged at the moment though, cause my allotment is fairly daunting.

laalaa

[GrannieAnnie]

flea beatle?  they are stripey, but I'm not sure if they are whiteish-greeny

[laalaa]

no, not flea beetle. i've tried to look up online what it might be, and i've not come across anything that even resembles this bug. maybe i should try to photograph them, but they're so tiny, i'm not sure i can.

laalaa

[GrannieAnnie]

greenfly?

[richyrich7]

Here have a look at this. Could be the culprit.

[WG.]

I have no idea what they are but I do know what I'd try to get rid of them.

Whizz up a few cloves of garlic in the blender with a pint of water.  Put this into a watering can (or sprayer) with another 3 or 4 pints of water plus some wetting agent (soft soap or even liquid soap).  Apply one or more times to see if they move on.

In truth, you might want to start a new plant with some cuttings as well - 3 years is starting to be getting on a bit.

[laalaa]

could be greenfly maybe. i'll have a closer look tomorrow in the daylight. but what can i treat this with? i've sprayed a garlic based soapy spray on them today, and i'm crossing my fingers...
thanks for you help. i love this forum.


laalaa

[WG.]

Here have a look at this. Could be the culprit.

Nice one RR.  Seems like my advice was a day too late !!

[laalaa]

excellent...guess i'm a bit better at this gardening than i give myself credit....

but, yikes, that leafhopper looks scary. it does look like the damage that is happening to my plant. Only the critters don't have the darker bits. maybe i've just seen young ones???

[richyrich7]

Here have a look at this. Could be the culprit.

Nice one RR.  Seems like my advice was a day too late !!

  better late than never pal.

[GrannieAnnie]

Here have a look at this. Could be the culprit.

I think you may have got it Richy!

[laalaa]

Yes, it is definitely the sage leafhopper. and my garlic spray has had no effect whatsoever.  :x
maybe the rain is washing it away. at least the little things don't seem to be infesting any other plants around.

[WG.]

my garlic spray has had no effect whatsoever.  :x
maybe the rain is washing it away.

Keep at it.  Organic treatments are rarely instant in their effect - more like homeopathic medicines.

Or maybe sage leafhoppers like a bit of garlic on their food  :evil:

[richyrich7]

Well just been out to day to harvest some fresh sage for my meatballs and.... yes I've got the little s@d's too..  Found some old tumblebug in the shed might try that.

Have "they" banned it yet ? as they always ban stuff that works  :?

[laalaa]

try the garlic treatment RR...
i've sprayed again and again, and it may be working, if a bit slowly. I see alot fewer of the little s@ds today.