Fig Tree pest (forum)

John starts with ...
I have a genoa fig tree which has fruited well for a number of years. The tree is half way through it's fruiting and we have found an infestation of small green grub larvae 2-3mm long which have decimated the leaves and the outside skin of the fruit. They congregate in clusters on leaves, stems and the fruit. I have searched to try and identify them but without success. Can anyone identify this pest and provide a treatment, preferably organic?
Thanks in advance.

Time: 20th January 2010 9:18pm

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About the Author John31
Toowoomba
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amanda says...
Hi John - if it's a caterpillar (?) use Dipel.
Maybe a photo would help?

Time: 21st January 2010 1:01pm

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
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Jantina says...
Hi John, I don't know what your particular pest is but you can control them with Dipel, available from garden centres or Bunnings. It's a bug that is specific to caterpillars and I believe, approved for organic growers.

Time: 21st January 2010 1:01pm

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About the Author Jantina
Mt. Gambier S.A.
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Jantina says...
Ha ha Amanda, SNAP! looks like we had the same thought at the time!

Time: 21st January 2010 1:03pm

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amanda says...
Ha Ha! Is pyrethrum considered an organic remedy?

Time: 21st January 2010 1:06pm

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About the Author amanda19
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Jantina says...
Hmmn good question. I know it's toxic to fish. My Rodale says it kills pests by rapidly paralyzing them but has little residual effect and is of low toxicity (comparatively speaking).There is a very interesting website E.E. Muir and Sons (just google it) and they have a fairly extensive list of garden " cures" many of them organically or biodynamically certified. Oh well that's my little break over, back to sewing curtains!

Time: 21st January 2010 1:27pm

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About the Author Jantina
Mt. Gambier S.A.
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John says...
Thanks for the suggestions.
My wife is keen to keep the organic thing going in our orchard and vegetable patch as much as possible.
I am fairly confident that Pyrethrum is considered to be organic being a natural product but I have not heard of Dipel before and I will look further into this.
I will attempt to take another photo to put up on this thread. I tried the digital camera last night on macro setting to try and get some definition but the focus was pretty ordinary.

One good thing, I have already managed to make my annual quota of jam before they hit.

Time: 21st January 2010 2:13pm

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Charles cant spell says...
Most pyrethrum is synthesised (or lab created) so technically it isnt organic but as for the "organic" labeling for certification etc I dont know.

Time: 21st January 2010 2:52pm

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About the Author Charlesstillcantspell1
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au0rey says...
I use pyrethrum too..I guess best to write in to the makers eg the one i am using is Yates, and they will probably answer the question if it is synthesized in lab or gotten from the real daisies.

Time: 21st January 2010 4:40pm

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Jenny says...
I guess this is borer damage on my white adriatic fig? I pruned off one damaged shoot but didn't find any insects. Just wondering what do do, I'm hesitant to prune because it's such a new little plant. There's not much official advice out there. My black genoa right next to it seems unaffected for now.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2

Time: 9th April 2013 10:43am

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About the Author Jenny
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sder says...
Look for the crumbly "frass" which is the excreta of the borer. Wipe away the frass; find the small entry hole about 3 to 4 mm wide; get a syringe loaded with insecticide or metho. ; squirt up the hole where the borer is lodged.

Time: 9th April 2013 1:18pm

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About the Author sder
blue mts
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denise1 says...
Another way is to get some cotton wool soaked in derris dust or something nasty and poke it in the hole.

Time: 9th April 2013 3:10pm

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About the Author denise1
auckland NZ
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Jenny says...
thanks sder & denise will give it a try.

Time: 10th April 2013 12:31pm

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About the Author Jenny
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