Cochinillas
Mealybug or fig scale: what it is, how it originates, and how to eliminate it effectively.
Cochineal Or Fig Tree Cochineal
Ceroplastes Rusci
Pathogen:
Insect
Type:
Risk to the plant:
HIGH
DESCRIPTION
WHO CAUSES IT?
Ceroplastes rusci, known as the fig tree mealybug, is a parasitic insect that mainly affects fig trees. This insect goes through several stages during its life. The adult female, oval in shape and covered with a white waxy coating, lays her eggs in the bark of the host plant. Nymphs emerge from these eggs and attach to the leaves and branches to feed on the sap. As the nymphs grow, they shed their skin several times until they become adults. Males are rarely seen as most scale insects are parthenogenetic, meaning females can reproduce without mating. The mealybug protects itself under a waxy shield, making it difficult to control. The process from egg laying to maturity can vary depending on environmental conditions, particularly temperature and humidity.
SYMPTOMS
The infestation of Ceroplastes rusci in figs or fig trees causes weakening of the plant due to the constant suction of sap, which can lead to a series of visible symptoms.
- Appearance of white waxy shields on branches and leaves.
- Discoloration and wilting of the leaves.
- Secretion of honeydew, which encourages the growth of black fungus (sooty mold).
- Loss of general vigor of the plant.
- Premature fall of leaves and fruits.
- Formation of yellow Taches on the leaves.
- Lower fruit production.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
20-30 °C
60-80 %
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
Direct contact between plants, wind, contaminated tools, soil movement, nearby host plants, insect vectors
HOW TO REMOVE IT?
Home remedies
There are no home treatments
Chemical treatments
• RAPE OIL 70% + PYRETHRINS 0.7% [EC] P/V
• ORANGE OIL 60g/L [ME] P/S
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [64742-46-7]) 79% [EC] P/V
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [8042-47-5]) 54.6% [EW] P/V
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [97862-82-3]) 40% [EW] P/V
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [97862-82-3]) 80% [EC] P/V
• AZADIRACTIN 1% (AS AZADIRACTIN A) [EC] P/V
• Azadirachtin 2.6% (AS AZADIRACTIN A) [EC] P/V
• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 5% [EG] P/P
• MALTODEXTRIN 47.6% [SL] P/V
• POTASSIUM SALTS OF FATTY ACIDS C14-C20 48% [EW] P/V
Authorized treatments in organic farming
• RAPE OIL 70% + PYRETHRINS 0.7% [EC] P/V
• ORANGE OIL 60g/L [ME] P/S
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [64742-46-7]) 79% [EC] P/V
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [8042-47-5]) 54.6% [EW] P/V
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [97862-82-3]) 40% [EW] P/V
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [97862-82-3]) 80% [EC] P/V
• AZADIRACTIN 1% (AS AZADIRACTIN A) [EC] P/V
• Azadirachtin 2.6% (AS AZADIRACTIN A) [EC] P/V
• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 5% [EG] P/P
• MALTODEXTRIN 47.6% [SL] P/V
• POTASSIUM SALTS OF FATTY ACIDS C14-C20 48% [EW] P/V
Insect allies
PREDATORY MITES
LADYBUGS
LACEWINGS
PARASITIC WASPS
HOVERFLIES OR PARASITIC FLIES
PREDATORY BUGS
There are no natural allies
Mycodiplosis oidii (predatory mosquito)
EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THIS DISEASE
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- Regularly inspect plants for early signs of infestation.
- Prune and destroy infested branches and leaves to reduce the scale insect population.
- Promote the presence of natural enemies such as parasitoid wasps and ladybugs.
- Apply neem oil or insecticidal soaps to suffocate mealybugs.
- Use systemic insecticides in cases of severe infestations, following the recommendations for use.
- Keep the plant well nourished and watered to improve its resistance.
- Implement sticky traps to monitor the presence of adult scale insects.
- Avoid excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers, as they promote the growth of tender shoots that are more susceptible to infestations.
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