Page 6 • Saturday, May 21, 2022 • The Leader
Look out for leaf-footed bugs on tomato plants Amy Williams
G
arden uru
Dear Garden Guru, Lately, I’ve seen a group of tiny red insects gathering on my tomatoes. I’ve found some tomatoes that appear to be rotten on the vine or have spots of discoloration. What are these and how can I stop them? Help! Tomato Buffet Dear Buffet, The tiny red/orange bugs you are describing are leaffooted bugs in the nymph stage. During the nymph stage it is very common to find them clustered together, especially
on a tomato. As small as they are, they can do a lot of damage very quickly. The adult leaf-footed bug is dark brown in color, oblong shaped, and has a white stripe that extends across the wings. Commonly, these are confused with other brown or green stink bugs. A defining characteristic, as the name states, is a “leaf” like shape on their back legs. Leaf-footed bugs have a needle-like mouthpart which they use to pierce the fruit, suck out the juices of the fruit, and inject toxins into the fruit which causes the discoloration that you are observing. However, if you choose to use the unaffected parts of the fruit, it is safe to do so. In home gardens they are commonly seen on tomatoes, beans, okra and peppers. Assassin bugs are similar in color and pattern to the leaf-footed nymph and often mistaken as such. However, assassin bugs are highly beneficial in the garden, feeding
on stink bugs, armyworms, aphids, leaf beetles, flies and mosquitos. They are usually spotted on their own versus clustered, and while they are similar in color to the leaffooted nymph, they are much larger in size and do not display the leaf-like shape on the back legs. When you see these, leave them alone and let them continue with their work. As with other insects, their bite can be painful and, although rare, if there are any signs of anaphylactic shock, you should immediately seek medical attention. Controlling leaf-footed populations can be done safely with organic, eco-friendly solutions. Neem oil can be used either in a pre-diluted spray or a concentration form mixed with water and used in a garden sprayer. Brushing the nymphs off of your fruit and into a bucket of soapy water is an easy way to quickly kill a cluster, but may be more difficult and time-consuming as
Local baseball, softball teams fall in playoffs By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
It was a tough weekend for local high school baseball and softball teams as the area’s lone remaining public school and both remaining private school squads lost their respective playoff series. In baseball, the Waltrip Rams dropped both games of their Class 5A area-round series to regional power
Friendswood last week, losing 8-0 on Thursday before dropping a 12-0 decision on Friday to end their season. The Rams finish with a 16-9 overall record and the program’s second straight arearound appearance. In private school baseball, St. Pius X saw its season come to a close as well. The Panthers lost two games to San Antonio Central Catholic in their regional series. falling 17-2 on Friday and
11-2 Saturday. SPX ended its season with a 16-12-1 record. Meanwhile, the St. Pius X Lady Panthers’ softball season came to a close in the TAPPS Division I regional round with an 8-2 loss to Incarnate Word Academy on Friday. The Lady Panthers finished the season with a 14-15 overall record and second straight regional appearance.
For over 80 years, we’ve cared enough to think about the very worst. Through tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, and more, Farmers has been on the scene helping people start rebuilding since 1928. No one wants to think about all the things that can go wrong. But at Farmers, that’s what we’ve been doing for the last 80 years.
Personal attention. Call 713-699-8669 today! Lane Lewis
Contributed photo Assassin bugs, like the one pictured above, look like leaf-footed nymphs but are not as problematic for tomatoes and other garden vegetables.
they grow bigger and cluster less. Diatomaceous Earth can also be sprinkled around the base of your plants to rid away pests, however, you will need to reapply after rain and watering.
Keep your garden free of weeds that provide shelter for the pests and continue to monitor your garden for any signs of infestation. See you in the garden!
Do you have questions for the Garden Guru? Email Amy at underhillurbanfarmco@gmail. com. Also visit underhillurbanfarmco.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @UnderhillUrbanFarmCo.
IN MEMORIAM Thomas Holland Bratcher, Jr.
T
1935 - 2022 homas Holland Bratcher, Jr., 86, was born in New Orleans, LA on July 1, 1935, to Tom and Margaret Bratcher.
He passed away on May 8, 2022, after a brief illness. Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, wife Carol Bratcher, son Don Bratcher, grandson Thomas Bratcher IV, sister Mildred Trice, sister-in-law Tommie Hinski, niece Elizabeth Stone and nephew Robert Bratcher Jr. Tommy is survived by his sons, Thomas Bratcher Ill (Teresa) and John Bratcher (Rory), grandsons Brandon Bratcher and Carson Bratcher, granddaughters Christyn Bratcher and Reese Bratcher, brother Robert Bratcher, sister Peggy Bratcher, brother-in-law and sister-in-law James and Betty Duke, sister-in-law Marilyn Goolsby and many nieces and nephews. Tommy graduated from Pasadena High School class of ‘53 and attended the University of Houston class of ‘57. Tommy retired from Sandvik Rock Tools (TRW Mission Mfg Co.) after 43 years of service in accounting and finance. He served many years on the board of Mission Employees Federal Credit Union in the positions of President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Chairman of the Supervisory Committee. Tommy served 40 years with Boy Scout Troop 604 as Asst. Scoutmaster and Troop Treasurer. He worked several years with his three sons at Oaks Dads Club in baseball and football.
Your Local Agent 2200 North Loop W. Ste. 136, Houston, TX 77018 LLewis@FarmersAgent.com
Tom loved the Lord, his family, his friends, his country and music, especially Sinatra.
U N D E R H I L L U R B A N FA R M C O . P R E S E N T S
City Seeds
A celebration of life was held May 16, 2022, at Faith Presbyterian Church of Pasadena. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Tommy’s name to Faith Presbyterian Church of Pasadena.
Now available on
You can find Underhill Urban Farm Co. products at underhillurbanfarmco.com and the following retailers Henderson & Kane General Store, Goodfellas Meat Market Co, Kickin Kombucha, Tanaholics Anonymous, and The Branch.
You can contact Amy at
underhillurbanfarmco@gmail.com
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