The Gooseberry Sawfly
A few days ago I noticed that my gooseberry bush was being eaten. On closer inspection I discovered it was being ravished by a horde of Gooseberry sawfly larvae. These innocent looking caterpillars can apparently strip bushes foliage within 2 days, seriously weakening the plant, which then makes for a poor crop the following season. There is not a lot that can be done except pick them off by hand and kill them. My favoured method of death is to put them in a plastic container and leave it in the sun. They just simply dry out, this execution method also works well on small slugs.The weather the last few days has been too hot for me, but fortunately today is a lot cooler. For many years I lived I hot in climates and it wasn’t a problem for me, but for the last few years when it gets hot I overheat, and I don’t seem to be able cool down. This results in me becoming very weary, and puts me in a bad mood. Not good for me, and not good for people around me either. I wonder if it’s anything thing to with my thyroid disease or as a result of the aging process. Hope it’s the former else I’ll be living in an igloo by the time I retire.
Technorati Tags: Gardening, Marburg, Weather, Gooseberry
posted by Haddock at 11:11 AM
14 Comments:
I hate, hate, hate hot weather! And I've been that way since my early 20's, so I'm thinking it's just a preference thing.
My general feeling is that if you're cold, you can always put something else on. There's only so much you can take off, though, to avoid the heat.
You execute the caterpillars? I'm, well, I'm shocked.
I think the question we all have to ask though is drying them out in a jar "cruel and unusual?" And more importantly, "what do they taste like crispy?"
We get invaded by Japanese beetles. Horrid creatures.
Haddock, could you and Juniorette think about this question.
The Deutscher Teckel Klub wants me submit 5 names for a kennel for my Dackels. Does Juniorette have any ideas for me? I need them by tonight. Sorry for the short notice, but they just told me last night.
Eurotrippen - I agree entirely. The weird thing is I donn't have a problem with the heat when I go to a sauna! :)
Inactualfact - I guess its cruel in way but its the less messy solution. They definitely are crispy but I have not tried eating one yet.
Maribeth - the Juniorette has just left for the weekend and she quickly suggested sausage hut (because dogs like sausages and a kennel is like a little hut!). It probably sounds better in German! :)
Naked Nerd - unfortunately I have to work this weekend....Hey but at least the place is air conditioned! Have a good weekend yourself and have a beer for me! :)
I seem to have a lot of trouble regulating my body temperature as well, especially in this heat. I think it could well be thyroid thing.
Those larvae look pretty vicious!
I enjoy picking those jap beetles off my roses and putting them in some soapy water then leaving them in the sun to boil hahahahahahahahaha bastards
I know they are "just caterpillars", but don't you think a quicker death might be more humane than letting them die slowly and what might be painfully?
Those caterpillars sound like me at a buffet. I can seriously strip a restaurant in just a matter of a few hours.
it's definitely hard to thermoregulate when it gets too hot ... but as they say, it's the humidity that gets me ... then your body's cooling system really doesn't do the job ... been too hot where I am this week ... I think I could stand to live in a climate that is always between about 50F at night and 68 F in the daytime ... you're too young for it to be part of the aging process haddock
Bug pitchers! Di-GUSTing. Yuckity-yuck-yuck.
Christina - I think its a thyroid thing as well :)
Matt - Sounds like those Jap beetles are getting what they deserve! :)
Karen - Squishing them was an option, but there were about 100 of them, and I'm not sure if I could have ensured a good, clean & swift squish every time! :)
Rocky - You must have some appetite! :)
Rory - Yeah the humidity kills me too. Glad to hear I'm not too old! :)
Lisa - Its pretty horrible but it has to be done :)
I don't really mind the hot weather, but I certainly would mind the larvae!
Ewwww those caterpillars are gross. I know I should be able to see the beautyfull eco system and how we are are connected and treehugger stuff like that - but honestly I just hate insects and little creeps like this and I wish they would all go away (at least away from where I am) I only hate crabs more than creeps. I hope you get rid of them.
About having a harder time dealing with the heat - you are probably just getting old. It happens to us all at one time or another. I think Igloos could be decorated in a cozy way - especially if you are into feng shui.
I absolutely love the weather we've been having and hope it stays for months to come!
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