Lettuce Bugs

[Girlred]

Im new to this forum thing so sorry if im repeating what has already been asked.

I have lettuce which appears to be healthy and growing happily apart from a large number of the leafs have started to get very small black guey dots, mainly near the roots at first i thought it was soil but it is to perfectly round. Has anyone got any ideas as to what it is and how i deal with it?

[Two_Sheds]

Lettuce Root Aphid

[fleegle]

Hi Girlred,

Welcome from one newbie to another, I try and control pest species by encouraging predatory species - those that eat them basically!

Here's a good website:Welcome To Wildlife Gardening Beneficial Preditors

might not be everones cup of tea, but so much better for the environment.

Hope this helps!

[Girlred]

Thanks for your help guys, im still not really sure what type of bug or disease they have got as i havent seen any small flies are anything around the leaves, but ill keep digging for more info.

[Shadylane]

If they are root aphids then you won't see them as they'll be feeding on the roots. i think we had them last year, when I pulled the old plants out of the troughs they were in there were these bugs and a white ash like substance around the roots. They didn't seem to do them any harm although apparantely they can stunt growth. I wouldn't be surprised if they've returned this year cause the lettuce we have in troughs is doing crap.

[Two_Sheds]

the lettuce we have in troughs is doing crap.

It's too warm for lettuce right now ... it's really a cool weather crop

[Shadylane]

Maybe where you it is 'Sheds *sulks* The weather here has only just started to pick up after over a month of rain. The lettuce down t'lottment is doing good but we have to sow everything in pots at home cause here the slugs rule.