Description:
The Citrus Mealy bug and the Long Tailed
Mealy bug.
Detection:
Mealy bugs are off-white in color and have
oval flattened bodies growing up to 1/8th
inch long. They also excrete a sticky honeydew
which could attract a black sooty mold. The
two types are described below 1] Normally
they leave small cottony masses, their eggs,
where the leaves join onto the stem. They
like dark places so be sure to check under
the leaves and well inside the foliage of
a plant regularly. A severe infestation will
cause wilting, discoloration and stunted
growth of a plant. 2) This type of Mealy
bug lives in the soil of the plant, on the
root system. If the plant is left untreated
it will eventually turn yellow and die. They
can normally be seen in the water tray of
the plant or on the surface of the soil.
Control:
1) Swab off the white cotton
with an alcohol
soaked cloth and wipe the whole
plant carefully.
Mist regularly with a mild soapy
solution
(do not use a soap that contains
a detergent)
and wash if necessary on a weekly
basis.
For severe infestations, a systemic
spray
would be most effective as it
penetrates
the mealy bugs waxy coating.
2) Granular systemic preparations
are also
most effective but be sure to
water the plant
well for a few days prior to
use. You can
also wash the roots of the plant
in clear
warm water and cut out the most
effected
areas. Discard heavily infested
plants.
