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aphids on my pyracanthas, which are dealt with by a strong jet of water, and stripy mullein caterpillars on verbascum, which are easy to pick off.I mention all this because I came across a very ancient shed the other day with many of the original

on mildew on the leaves, it being one of the several mould-feeding ladybirds rather than the aphid-eating species. Nowadays it is most usually found on sycamore and lime trees and is much more abundant than ever before, especially in urban areas.It has a

. It is the voracious appetite of the large larva that has given the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, its bad reputation. Not only does it eat aphids, it also eats other insects, including other ladybird larvae and also lacewing and hoverfly larvae feeding

to me because it’s beautiful and I’d never seen one before. It’s not particularly rare and it doesn’t even eat aphids – sorry gardeners. But it’s recently adapted its habitat and is becoming more widespread. At 4.5-6mm long it’s roughly the same size

Grow summer fruiting raspberries, with Monty Don.Chris Beardshaw gives advice on how to grow blueberries and cranberries.Fight currant blister aphids.Grow new plants from seeds and berries.Browse a variety of fruit plantsChoose plants suitable to full sun

, thus exposing the bugs to predators. But they're not all bad, as some capsid bugs feed on small pests.a wide range of plants, including chrysanthemums, dahlias, fuchsias, apples, beans and potatoesspring, summerMore common garden pestsLeaf miner flyAphids

predators in the garden and they attack all manner of real pests including caterpillars, aphids and flies. They feed the chewed remains to their grubs back at the nest. The last five years have been really bad for wasps; either the hibernating queens have

next year my plot will be free of aphids, brassica whitefly and countless other pests that survive mild winters, and multiply with a vengeance in early spring. Mild winters are a boon to many garden pests; pests such as whitefly can shelter in the folds

Surround your roses with strongly scented companion plants, such as lavender, thyme, rue and garlic chives, to help keep aphids at bay. While gardeners are attracted by their beauty, rose pests are deterred by the herbs' strong scents. March - April

Bury blackberry shoot tips and peg down for new plantsFruit & vegWater tomatoes regularlyFeed tomato cropsBe on the lookout for aphids, vine weevils and other pestsGreenhouse20 minutes to plantLearn how to ensure a continuous supply of lettuce through the summer