Cactus
How to recognize and combat mealybugs or scale insects on cacti
Mealybugs Or Scales
Insect
Type:
Risk to the plant:
HIGH
Mealybugs Or Scales
Pathogen:
Cochinillas
WHO CAUSES IT?
Mealybugs are a group of insects that belong to the superfamily Coccoidea, with multiple species that affect various plants, including cacti. These insects have an initial phase in which adult females lay eggs in the protected parts of the cactus. Upon hatching, the nymphs, known as "crawlers", look for suitable places to feed, inserting their stylets into the plant tissue to suck the sap. Mealybugs go through several nymphal stages before reaching maturity. The males, in many species, are winged and live only a few days, dedicated exclusively to fertilizing the females. Adult females are generally immobile and may be covered with a protective waxy coating, which allows them to adhere firmly to the host plant. This waxy coating also protects them against adverse conditions and predators. Reproduction can be both sexual and asexual, depending on the species. Throughout their life, mealybugs can produce several generations per year, especially in warm climates, thus facilitating their rapid proliferation and extensive damage to affected plants.
.png){kind=small}
SYMPTOMS
Mealybug infestation of cacti causes a disease known as mealybugs, which significantly weakens plants by sucking their sap, interfering with their ability to carry out photosynthesis and other vital processes. This attack can lead to reduced growth, chlorosis and, in severe cases, plant death. Mealybugs also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can attract sooty fungi, adding more stress to the plant and further reducing its photosynthetic capacity.
- Presence of a white waxy substance on the surface of the cactus.
- Discoloration and yellowing of fabrics.
- Appearance of sticky honeydew on the surface of the cactus.
- Growth of sooty fungi on molasses.
- Loss of vigor and delay in growth.
- Death of the plant in serious infestations.
DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS
Temperature:
20°C a 30°C
Humidity:
60% a 80%
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
Direct contact between plants, Wind, Contaminated tools, Vector animals, Movement of infested plants
HOW TO ELIMINATE IT?
Home treatments
There are no home treatments
Natural allies
Chemical treatments
There are no treatments for this disease. Treatments are directed at the insect vectors that transmit it. See insect treatments.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THE PEST
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Effective against all types of fungi
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
REPELLENT PLANTS
RECOMMENDATIONS
OTHER PESTS THAT MAY INTEREST YOU
DID YOU LIKE IT?
Now you can always have it on your mobile, without ads and totally FREE. TRY idMicrobe NOW!
