Pests and Diseases - Symptom Selector

Mealy bug

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Mealy bug

Symptoms

Mealy bugs look like whitish-grey bits of fine cotton wool and are mainly found in the small nook where the leaf joins the stem. The leaves of the infected plant may become sticky with honey dew that the insects excrete. Mainly a problem indoors and in the greenhouse.

Cause

Soft-bodied sap-sucking insects which secrete the fluff to protect themselves and their eggs.

Harm

Plants are weakened and the fungus Black ooty Mould is attracted to the Mealybug's honeydew. This further adds to the plants trouble as the Black Sooty Mould prevents the plant photosynthesising and making food.

Treatment

Organic - grow pollen- and nectar-rich plants to attract natural predators in to the garden. On small plants and houseplants, touch each mealbug with a cotton buds dipped in isopropyl alcohol to kill them. Spray larger plants with insecticidal soap but severely infested ones should be thrown away.
Biological - control of mealy bug is with the predatory beetle Cryptolaemus. The adults and larvae of this beetle devour the mealy bug completely. This form of control is only suitable in greenhouses and conservatories.
Chemical - use a strong insecticide.

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