{"id":3643,"date":"2018-06-08T08:06:34","date_gmt":"2018-06-08T15:06:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/?p=3643"},"modified":"2023-05-26T11:56:19","modified_gmt":"2023-05-26T18:56:19","slug":"who-is-eating-holes-in-your-avocado-leaves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/who-is-eating-holes-in-your-avocado-leaves\/","title":{"rendered":"Who is eating holes in your avocado leaves?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If your avocado leaves are getting holey this spring, you are due for a night hunt. Every May and June, I find myself going out after dark and finding the same culprit: June bugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s what I do: Grab a flashlight or better yet, a headlamp. Bring along a cup with a lid. Shine the light on the tree’s canopy and . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"June<\/a>
There it is. A June bug eating an avocado leaf.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You’re almost sure to see these guys in the act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn’t have to be late, just after dark is fine. It’s no big deal if the leaves of a big tree get munched a bit, but a young tree needs as many whole leaves as possible, especially the newly forming ones. So I focus my hunting on young trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"June<\/a>
Double attack on new growth of a young tree. This is too much!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I place the cup under the leaf and tap the leaf. The bugs drop right in. Cap the cup. Collect some more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes I also squish the bugs right there on the leaves. Wearing a glove prevents needing to wash guts off later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I prefer, however, to collect them because it makes me feel better to use them as treats for my chickens. Watch them enjoy a handful in this little video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n