Sounds like mealy bugs. Get some rubbing alcohol and dab each one with it. Use insecticidal soap too. Follow label directions!

I agree. It's probably mealybugs. Wipe off what you can with rubbing alcohol and a paper towel, then get insecticidal soap, neem oil, or a similar product that says it's effective against mealybugs. Follow the label directions (including the part about working in a well-ventilated area, if applicable -- they don't write that on there just to fill up some extra space), and be prepared to repeat the process on a regular basis. You're not likely to get them all on the first try.

Mealybugs can be tough, so prepare to be doing this for a while. They can be eliminated, though, so be hopeful too.

Also, since you mentioned a "jungle:" any plants that were touching the corn plant (leaf-to-leaf or leaf-to-stem; I don't think pots count) should probably get treated too, whether you can see mealys on them or not, because odds are you have them on more than one plant, if they're really that close together.

There's an outside chance that it's not mealybugs and is instead, I dunno, the egg sac from a spider or something. Hard to tell from the description: if you can get a picture, that might make the diagnosis definite. But mealybugs are the most likely explanation. Sorry.

Pls. move your infected plant away from the rest of the plants; this is known as isolating the plant. One does this to prevent the mealy bugs fom spreading, depending on what you grow, they can be very contagious & spread thru a collection quickly.

the good thing is this corn plant was off in its own corner so i'm hoping none of my other little buddies got 'plant lice'. i put it in its own room now. where do these bugs come from? maybe outside? it was on the deck all summer long...thanks for all the help guys and i will try not to get too high off the fumes ;)

These bugs can lurk on plants for a long time, so it could have been there when you bought it, or picked it up outside. Keep your plant a little more on the dry side while you're treating for the mealy - it will help the eradication go faster. If it's a bad infestation, you will probably notice it needs lots less water than normal anyway. Good luck - I HATE MEALY!

okay. i will remember to water it less until the 'lice' are gone. i'm still all creeped out by this buggy situation. mealybugs are icky! i really do think that some bugs just shouldn't have evoloved. and this is one of them.

If you can move it to the tub or shower to give it a good spraying down with the insecticidal soap, that makes it much easier. It might take two or three treatments, but it does work.

Mealies. Yuck.... :(

completely off subject. but i have a bad case of the mondays. so i just got a new car last week. because last month during an ice storm a ginormous tree fell on my car. it rained sometime overnight and turned the street into ice. i'm on my way to work. turn left. and sliiiiiide conveniently into a storm drain curb thing. and now my steering wheel is vertical. i get out to look at the nice scrape on my wheel in my work parking lot. almost fall. catch myself. and strain my knee. i think i need a walker and a helmet.

Another easy and safe remedy is to make a solution of rubbing alcohol and water (at a 1:4 ratio) and apply it with a plant mister. It's a much easier way to get into the nooks and crannies than the cotton swap treatments.