Finding predators that will dine on mosquitoes
What eats mosquitoes? Can I encourage mosquito-eaters?
There are predators that target flying adult mosquitoes and those that target mosquito larvae, which live in water. Migratory songbirds and birds such as swallows and purple martins eat some adult mosquitoes. Waterfowl, such as ducks and native geese, feed on hordes of mosquito larvae. Some of the most effective larvaeeaters are dragonflies and damselflies, especially in the aquatic stage of their life cycle. Fish, such as goldfish, bass and bluegill, eat mosquito larvae, but the most-touted mosquito larvae eater is the Eastern mosquito fish. This native freshwater fish can be purchased. (Western mosquito fish are not native to Maryland.) Frogs, tadpoles, spiders and some turtles also feed on mosquitoes. My 20-year-old boxwoods have yellow mottling on the leaves. The pattern is different than the little light-colored specks we’ve seen from mite damage. What can I do about it?
Sounds like boxwood leafminer. These leafminers are the larvae of a fly and chew between the upper and bottom layers of a leaf. Their mines puff up slightly and look like a blister. The larvae feed till fall and overwinter in the leaves. Significant leaf drop can occur in fall or spring. It’s best to get ahead of this insect pest by spraying with a registered insecticide in April, but you can still spray now with a foliarabsorbed insecticide. Put boxwood leafminer in the Home and Garden Information Center website search box. University of Maryland Extension’s Home and Garden Information Center offers free gardening and pest information at extension.umd.edu/hgic. Click “Ask Maryland’s Gardening Experts” to send questions and photos.
Digging deeper
Pokeweed Phytolacca americana
A mystery plant shoots up 5 to 10 feet, a photo is sent to the Home and Garden Information Center for identification and, oftentimes, the uninvited guest is pokeweed. This humble native grows big glossy leaves arranged alternately on a sturdy branching stalk with a red tinge. In summer the cluster of tiny white-green flowers are unremarkable, but in fall the juicy purple berries are relished by birds and children making “ink.” Caution is required, because all plant parts are toxic when ingested. Pokeweed is a perennial, whose big white taproot enlarges each year. It’s a fine plant for wildlife, but if it shows up in a bad spot, pull or dig it while it’s young. Search the HGIC website for more detail.