I am growing eggplants for the first time this summer and I noticed today that there are these little red-ish brown, and white bugs on the leaves. I cannot figure out what bugs these are or what to do about them. They are eating holes in my leaves so they're definitely not friendly bugs. Do any of you know what these bugs are and what to do about them?
Also please forgive me if I am posting this in the wrong spot, I'm new to the forum and I'm not quite sure where to post this.
Thank you!
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Becca1695
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Bugs on my eggplants?
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rainbowgardener
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applestar
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What you have are red (sometimes called tomato) aphids but I also see a couple of hard-shelled, tan aphid mummies, which are aphids that have been paracitised by aphid mummy maker wasps and are now pupating, getting ready to drill a little hole to climb out of,
Have you already sprayed? If not you may want to hold off because the remaining aphids may also be incubating future Garden Patrol babies.
The holes are not the aphids' work. Those shallow perfectly round -but not all the way through the leaf- gouges are made by the four-lined plant bug. Look for black and lime green striped bugs with bright orange belly, their nymphs are orange red. These marks on the eggplants maybe just a passing nibble. You will find more severe infestations on members of the mint family, other herbs like oregano and basil, and clover, sometimes fuzzy leaves like Black-eyed Susan and petunia. The insects themselves are difficult to spot/catch because they scramble off if you cast a shadow.
Have you already sprayed? If not you may want to hold off because the remaining aphids may also be incubating future Garden Patrol babies.
The holes are not the aphids' work. Those shallow perfectly round -but not all the way through the leaf- gouges are made by the four-lined plant bug. Look for black and lime green striped bugs with bright orange belly, their nymphs are orange red. These marks on the eggplants maybe just a passing nibble. You will find more severe infestations on members of the mint family, other herbs like oregano and basil, and clover, sometimes fuzzy leaves like Black-eyed Susan and petunia. The insects themselves are difficult to spot/catch because they scramble off if you cast a shadow.
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Lindsaylew82
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Lindsaylew82
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So, there are different types of soaps.
True soap, made with lye and animal or vegetable fats, like Dr. Bronner's, Murphy's and baby soap.
Then, there are detergents that include surfactants, like dawn and most other dish detergents. They are produced using synthetic materials.
Detergents (surfactants) can very quickly injure plant tissue. True soaps are generally more gentle, but they can burn them also.
I don't like using soaps, mainly because they have to be washed off.
I like neem oil for most insects, but for aphids, I just use water. A strongish jet of water gets them off. Without damaging your plants.
True soap, made with lye and animal or vegetable fats, like Dr. Bronner's, Murphy's and baby soap.
Then, there are detergents that include surfactants, like dawn and most other dish detergents. They are produced using synthetic materials.
Detergents (surfactants) can very quickly injure plant tissue. True soaps are generally more gentle, but they can burn them also.
I don't like using soaps, mainly because they have to be washed off.
I like neem oil for most insects, but for aphids, I just use water. A strongish jet of water gets them off. Without damaging your plants.
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applestar
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Ouch. I'm really sorry to see that happened -- it must have been shocking and so very disappointing. 
I agree that those look like damage from the spray. I wanted to get my facts straight before posting and found this : https://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05547.html
I think the most important advice given in the article is to do a test spray first. Think beauty products on your own skin.
For what it's worth though, here's my take on the soap spray -- I avoid all dish washing and laundry products. They are often not "soap." They also often contain other ingredients. Despite what the article says, I personally don't like the insecticidal soaps on my vegs because of the way they smell.
I use Dr. Bronner's liquid soap. I like the peppermint liquid soap, and use it for washing hands and washing vegs/fruits. I even use it for washing my face and neck, arms and legs when hot and sweaty because it's very refreshing. I always have it in the house, so I use it for the garden too.
I honestly don't measure -- a drop or two in a 16 oz sprayer, a dribble in a 1/2 gal. I really don't use it to dry up the bugs so much, but more to make it easier to wash them off the plants. So I generally start by wetting the plants, then use the soap spray. Hairy plants (like tomatoes and eggplants) lose their hydrophobic barrier created by the air space between the hairs and surface tension of water, and soak up the solution so they need extra attention when rinsing.
I don't spray with products when direct sunlight is or will be shining on the plants. Sunlight is an amazing powerful thing.
I don't know if there is any thing else to be said. I don't want to make you feel bad... So, good luck. I hope your plants recover despite the setback.
I agree that those look like damage from the spray. I wanted to get my facts straight before posting and found this : https://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05547.html
I think the most important advice given in the article is to do a test spray first. Think beauty products on your own skin.
For what it's worth though, here's my take on the soap spray -- I avoid all dish washing and laundry products. They are often not "soap." They also often contain other ingredients. Despite what the article says, I personally don't like the insecticidal soaps on my vegs because of the way they smell.
I use Dr. Bronner's liquid soap. I like the peppermint liquid soap, and use it for washing hands and washing vegs/fruits. I even use it for washing my face and neck, arms and legs when hot and sweaty because it's very refreshing. I always have it in the house, so I use it for the garden too.
I honestly don't measure -- a drop or two in a 16 oz sprayer, a dribble in a 1/2 gal. I really don't use it to dry up the bugs so much, but more to make it easier to wash them off the plants. So I generally start by wetting the plants, then use the soap spray. Hairy plants (like tomatoes and eggplants) lose their hydrophobic barrier created by the air space between the hairs and surface tension of water, and soak up the solution so they need extra attention when rinsing.
I don't spray with products when direct sunlight is or will be shining on the plants. Sunlight is an amazing powerful thing.
I don't know if there is any thing else to be said. I don't want to make you feel bad... So, good luck. I hope your plants recover despite the setback.