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prolifc than others. Traps around Iris versicolor clumps were especially active. When
the Siberians began to bloom there was still some damage to the iris fowers, but much
less than last year. We are hoping that if we start earlier with the sticky traps, we will
have even more success next year.

About the third week of the siberian bloom, we started to catch little copper
butterfies on our cards, and we had to take them down. David Schmieder, who we told
of our experience and who tried it also, said that he started to catch dragon fies – but
only on cards which were horizontal – not on the ones which were vertical. We also
told Andrew Wheeler about this experience (See “Observations on the Biology of the
‘Iris Bud Fly’” from the Spring 2008 TSI). He spoke with an entomologist at Claremont
Graduate University where Andrew is a PhD student. The entomologist suggested that
next year we should try sticky traps in different colors, shapes and sizes and at different
heights. Andrew also suggested that we check and retire cards periodically to fnd out
when peak activity is. One other interesting bit of information came from a visitor who
said that she had made sticky traps by spreading a little Vaseline on a card.

When I recently reported these events at an ISM meeting, there was a lot of interest,
however someone did suggest that idea of yellow sticky traps all over their garden was
not too appealing. Well, I can understand that, nevertheless – this is a very hopeful step
forward. A big thank you to TSI for the photo!
— Jan Sacks

It is important that all iris growers take steps to help control its spread. While
organic controls are being researched, the following methods will provide good control.

Control methods
• Monitor all types of Iris, including Siberians, bearded, spuria, pseudocorus and
versicolor
• Remove spent blooms to catch larvae (little white maggot) and put in garbage
bag
• Remove all fower stalks after bloom and put in garbage bag.
• Do not compost, put in a plastic garbage bag and bake in the sun for several days
• In late winter, Siberian foliage can be burnt to control both iris bud fy and borer
• In spring, starting before blooms open, place yellow sticky traps to monitor and
catch adult fies.

It would be helpful to know the extent of its spread. Let us know if you have this
problem.
E mail jowettfarm@copper.net
Phone 905-936-9941
Cell 416-434-3225
Address CDN Iris Sociery
1960 Sideroad 15
Tottenham, Ontario L0G 1W0
Canadian Iris Society Newsletter 13