Red cotton bugs on old roselle flower

This is taken on the evening of 2 May 2024. Where I notice that there is red coloured bugs on old roselle flower.

Upon further inspection with entomology counterpart, it is red cotton bugs or  red cotton stainer (Dysdercus cingulatus) [1]. 

Where among its host plant is hibiscus plant [1].

This is why I am always busy. Learning on the pest on the planted plants. Would be good if can have entomology friend for faster clarification. Everything needs to be documented. In order to know and get the next course of action.

Picture taken using my Samsung Galaxy A34 phone.

Until then, have fun in identifying pest on your roselle plant.

Reference:

[1] Details on red cotton bugs or  red cotton stainer (Dysdercus cingulatus) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysdercus_cingulatus

Fluffy white caterpillar on my Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf plant

This is taken in the morning of 20 April 2022. Where I saw a fluffy white caterpillar on the leaf of my Cnidoscolus aconitifolius plant. I am unable to trace the name of this fluffy white caterpillar. Well, my rule of thumb is to always avoid from having any contact with such fluffy caterpillar. In order to avoid any unnecessary sting or pain or rash. But I finally know the type of hairy huge caterpillar that I encounter last 24 September 2021 [1]. Its name is Orgyia detrita, the fir tussock moth or live oak tussock moth [1].

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, commonly known as chaya, tree spinach, or spinach tree [2]. Where its leaves look a lot like cassava or tapioca and even papaya. 

Pictures taken using my Huawei Y9 2019 Prime phone. 

Till then, be safe while tending your planted plants at home. As my usual practice is to be safe than sorry.

References:

[1] Huge hairy caterpillar last 24 September 2021 https://serinurulbeauty.blogspot.com/2021/10/huge-hairy-caterpillar-in-brown-colour.html

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidoscolus_aconitifolius

Huge hairy caterpillar in brown colour

This is taken in the morning of 24 September 2021.

The huge size of the hairy caterpillar beside my finger. 

Planting chili plant : is it easy?

I was asked this question from my high school friend. Whether is it really chili plant easier beinh attacked by beetle type pest? As she mentioned that her father stopped her from planting one. Well for sure, I would not suggest beginner or someone that never plant anything to start with chili plant.

Reason is because chili plant have a lot of admirers (attract lots of pest). Therefore will have short survival rate for a beginner to plant chili. Which may lead to disappointment and might become discouraged. But if they have a good mentor and willing to pay and learn*, they might able to pull it through.

The look of my red chili (cili padi) harvested last 25 September 2021.

Among chili plant pests that I have encountered so far is:

● thrips

● aphids [1]

● whiteflies

● leafminers

● mealybugs [2]

● birds [3]

● snails

● slugs

● fruit flies 

Which leads to tendency of others to use pesticide on chili plant. As for me, I have opted to use organic approach in my gardening work. Where I make my own pest control using home grown ingredients and also other organic option that is safe to use while my precious cat roam around my house compound. But when using organic approach in gardening works, it takes more time and work. Since you will need to alternate the used organic pest control spray every 3 days gap to 1 week gap. It is because when used regularly without alternate, the pest will become immune to the used organic pest control spray. 

That is why I strongly suggest for beginners to do their homework in studying their plant before start planting. As early work is crucial for the long run. For me, I still have much more to learn on gardening works especially when using organic approach and self sustainability. If I can do it, so do you. 

Till then, have fun in germinating and planting your chili plant at home. 

Note:

*I tend to stop helping those who never want to listen to my gardening advice. In my way in taking care of myself and reserving my energy. Which I would suggest for them to seek certified personnel in agriculture instead. Since I only learn based on experience. 

References :

[1] Aphids attack under my lada basah (large chili) leaves https://serinurulbeauty.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-of-back-of-my-lada-besar-chili.html

[2] Close up mealybugs on longan brazil fruit https://serinurulbeauty.blogspot.com/2018/02/white-flies-on-longan-brazil-fruit-today.html

[3] The look of my bitten lada basah (large chili) fruit https://serinurulbeauty.blogspot.com/2020/10/putting-on-cover-to-my-bitten-lada.html

[4] The difference between my cili padi (birds eye chili) and cili ungu (purple chili) https://serinurulbeauty.blogspot.com/2019/02/colour-difference-between-flower-of-my.html

Snail and slug poison can kill a dog within few hours after consumed

I have chat with one friend regardi5ng snail and slug attacks to the plant at home. He did mentioned that the attacks reduced tremendously well after using snail and slug poison. I do tell him I have use it in the early days of planting. Which I then stopped immediately after make research on its impact to myself and pet. As if consumed, a large dog can easily died within few hours after consumption. Which can be way more lethal to cats and also human.

Below is a good youtube video explaining the impact and damage caused by consuming snail and slug poison.

👉https://youtu.be/8k8Z8EZ_4f8 👈. 

Please click 👆 on the link for details. Not sure why the paste youtube hyperlink unable to be diplayed below.

As if for me, I normally hunt down the snail and slugs. Which I will immediately crushed the snail shell after caught it. I know it can be deemed as violent. But I have to apply rules survival of the fittest in this condition. It is either I die or they die. Which I choose the earlier. You can use other alternative method that suits your conscience and needs.

The of the back of my lada besar (chili plant) leaf that is heavily infested

This is taken last 8 October 2020. Where the back of my lada besar (chili plant) leaves is heavily infested. That makes the leaves curled towards back and no more flower.

Temporary trap male cat to prevent unwanted grand kittens

This is taken in the morning of 24 September 2020. Where I have to resort in trapping this stray male cat. In order to prevent unwanted grand kittens. As he keep mounting on my Furball.

Have to keep him in the cage until Furball came back home. It is the only way I could think that morning. Since Furball refuse to come to me when being called. But I do make sure to feed the stray male cat. Need to make sure he will be good to me also. Easier to catch later if needed again.

Ironman caterpillar or The Oleander Hawk Moth

This is taken this morning before leave for work. Where I found 3 plump Ironman caterpillar or The Oleander Hawk Moth caterpillar. The Ironman caterpillars eating away my lemon plant leaves.

Reduction of rat poison after 2 days

This is taken in the morning of 17 August 2020. Where I notice that the significant reduction amount of rat poison that I put last 15 August 2020. I did forget to measure the weight of rat poison poured into the container.

The look of the amount poison poured last evening 15 August 2020.

Good cockroach killing powder

I have been using cockroach killing powder for the past 3 weeks. It gives higher killing rate than my previous methods and ingredients.

The look of the cockroach killing powder packet.

I am determine to make sure extinction of cockroach population at home. Amy fibre optic cable in storage room was munched and cut off by them. Which cost me more not less than RM 100 to resolve the matter. 

Cleaning up my pomegranate plant from white flies infestation

This is taken in the evening of 7 May 2020. Where I manage to clean the branches and leaves to my pomegranate plant. Which being heavily infested by white flies.

I use warm mixture of home made organic liquid and dish washer sponge to scrub off the white flies from both branches and leaves. Quite a tricky procedure since the pomegranate branches has lots of thorn.

The look of around 6 cm long brown grasshopper on papaya leaf.

This is taken last evening of 26 September 2019. A large brown grasshopper on papaya leaf. It does reminds me of Kamen Rider [1].

The look of Asian house shrew caught by my cat, Furball.

This is taken last morning of 16 June 2019.

Can see that my cat, Furball is guarding the dead caught Asian house shrew by her [1].

Hairy caterpillar on my purslane.

This is taken last night of 10 June 2019. I was using my torchlight to shine and see my plants before I water them after reach home late that day. Where I saw very hairy and large caterpillar munching on my purslane plant. I think it was around 3 cm long.

👆👆👆The sharp crisp picture of the hairy caterpillar  on my third time after 2 shaking attempt. I am using both hands to hold and balanced my Samsung J7 Prime phone with my torchlight.

The look of siput babi (escargot/giant snail) near my onion plant.

This picture was taken in the morning of 14 May 2019. The siput babi or giant snail (escargot) was very big. It was going to devour my big onion plants that I planted near my pisang berangan offspring. I was planting it to deter it away from my pisang berangan offspring. Yet somehow it seems to be attracted to it more.

Siput babi climbing my tall betik (papaya) tree today.

I was astounded to see one siput babi (giant snail) dangling on the leaf of my tall betik (papaya) tree today.

The look of siput babi (giant snail) on my papaya leaf.

Can see how high this siput babi (giant snail) climb!

I have to use long pole to shove it off from my papaya leaf.

Banana skipper caterpillar, Erionota thrax

I saw there is more folded part in pisang lemak manis leaves yesterday evening, while checking the plants outside lab area.

When closer and further inspection is done, I saw a huge plump banana skipper caterpillar inside the folded banana leaves.

Can see here how the banana skipper munching away the pisang lemak manis leaf.

Cut worm attacks on my pisang lemak manis leaves last Friday.

The look of cut worms that manifest and infected my pisang lemak manis (banana) leaves last Friday.

Close up on the cut worm on my banana leaf.

Komodo lizard spotted outside my lab area.

Just saw I huge komodo lizard outside lab area while looking for next spot to planned planting our edible garden. It is around 5 feet long I think.

A short video it moving out from lab area.

The look of the komodo lizard from far.

The look of escargot or giant snails at my home and my gardening companion's home.

Compilation of escargot or giant snails at my home and my gardening companion's home [1].
These pictures taken by my gardening companion's in his home last 18 December 2017.

The abundance of escargot or giant snail babies.