richl@tektools.UUCP (08/10/86)
I've been having a problem with bugs on my beet leaves. Perhaps someone can tell me what they are and whether I am proceeding correctly. On the underside of the leaves are groups of 5-15 small long white things, which look like very small grains of rice. I cannot tell whether these are eggs or insects (they are that small). I suspect eggs. I cannot see any obvious bugs on the leaves, but the leaves develop well-marked brown areas which slowly spread. What I've been doing for a cure so far is using a general purpose garden insecticide and removing leaves which are more than a third gone already (though if I removed all leaves with spots on them I would likely kill my beets). 1) What are these beasties, and 2) Am I doing the right thing?? Within 3 or 4 feet I have petunias and marigolds, and within 6 or 7 feet I have cucumbers. Neither show any signs of these bugs. Earlier I had problems with aphids on these other plants but a light application of insecticide and vigorous inspection and manual removal seems to have taken care of them. Thanks in advance, Rick