Question
What insect atacks marigolds, wild flowers and creat a web covering the
plant. It chokes the plant and then it dries out and dies. How do I rid my
plants of this pest?

Answer
Jenn,

This sounds like spider mites. These small, plant-feeding mites spin a silken webbing that looks like spider webs (hence the name spider mites). They can severely damage host plants and cause them to dry out and die. Take a look at this page http://www.livingwithbugs.com/spider_mites.html for pictures and general information about spider mites.

Insecticidal soap is the best and safest way to manage spider mites. Follow the instructions on this page http://www.livingwithbugs.com/insecticidal_soap.html for using insecticidal soap to control spider mites and aphids.

Jack DeAngelis, PhD
Extension Entomologist (ret.)
My website about home and garden pests: http://www.livingwithbugs.com