Wasps/Bees And Moonflower Vine

Question

I planted. It vined beautifully and had tons of buds. Unfortunately whenever they started to open, wasps (not bees) attacked them with a vengeance and I never saw a full bloom until last week – the Weather turned cool, I guess my flying pests went south and one lone bud blossomed. How do I protect the blooms. Is it even possible?

Answer 1

It is very likely that the wasps were attacking caterpillars that were attacking your plants. Wasps do not consume plants, but they do prey on insects. Many wasps lay their eggs on caterpillars, and when they hatch they enter the caterpillar to burst out once mature.

They can, also, prey on scale insects. Scale will devastate any plant that becomes their host!

In the future, pest management can consist of an insecticide, whether it be organic or synthetic. It is important to know that pest control is not a "one and done" ordeal, so treatment will be constant every year.

Here are some articles that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/parasitic-wasp-info.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/control-plant-scale.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/what-are-organic-pesticides.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/natural-home-pesticides-organic-garden-pest-control.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides