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plantcrazed101

Mealybugs? Or weird spots?

11 years ago

So I saw one mealybug on one of my Hoyas that I had received along in the beginning of November, and I isolated it and sprayed with BATS or imdidacloprid, and then add the granules to the soil as well.

I haven't seen any mealybugs as I far as I know...but I still see some white "dust" on some of the leaves and one section that looks like it could be mealybugs...what do y'all think? I have more pictures but I can't figure out how to add more than one to this post.

I also have another Hoya that was right outside of the isolated Hoya, and it doesn't appear to have any mealybugs. Do you think it's safe to bring the isolated plant out in the open? How fast do mealybugs reproduce?

Comments (4)

  • 11 years ago

    I kind of see what you mean, but the image is a bit blurry. If that is DS-70 (looks like it, but can't be 100%), sometimes the natural fuzz of this particular hoya can slough and make it appear that there are bugs. I have attached a link to an image of a mealy bug, as once you see one, it is hard to unsee. The image is of a citrus mealybug, but they all looks quite similar, some are just fuzzier, and others have longer tufts of "hair". They do leave behind a cotton-esque substance, but sometimes leaves and stems are just extra fuzzy in places.

    As far as uploading more than one picture, you would need to use a photo hosting site, like flickr or photobucket, copy the html code and paste it in the message box of your reply or new post, and repeat the procedure for each image you want to add.

    Here is a link that might be useful: NatGeo mealy bug

  • 11 years ago

    It is too hard to see from your photo.

    But knowing DS-70 and mealies, and from your description of it as "dusty" I suspect it's just something like mineral deposits or dried sap. I've noticed that Hoyas like DS-70, with gritty/fuzzy leaves get very bright white residue stripes, probably because the liquid doesn't slide/spread much due to their texture. If it doesn't look cottony and doesn't smear/stick to your finger when you touch it, then that is my diagnosis.

    Also mealybug fuzz deposits (aka eggs -_-) is primarily found clinging to the underside of the leaf and in the Vs of the plant, like where peduncles meet the vine. Sometimes yeah you do see it on the tops of leaves, but if you don't see white anywhere else, I would relax.

    As far as your quarantined plant goes, here is an article that explains the life cycle of mealies. I would say that, since it was dosed at the beginning of November and has since appeared clean, your odds are very good that you will see no further problems from it. Of course, there is always some risk that we have to accept. Good luck!

  • 11 years ago

    Okay here is another photo, are the roots supposed to be fuzzy like that? I'm not familiar with how Hoyas grow so just checking. They seem to produce a lot of growth that looks mealy-buggy lol.

    Glad to hear y'all don't think (so far) that there are any more mealybugs left. :)

  • 11 years ago

    Roots are supposed to be fuzzy, at least on many hoya and other plant species. I do not see mealy bugs in either of your pictures.

    I know how this feels, unfortunately. When your plants have bugs, mealies or mites or scale or any others, you tend to see them everywhere. This is not to say that they are not there, but there is a bias created.

    Adult mealy bugs are clearly visible with naked eye, if your eye sight is decent. Babies are a different matter. Dust specks might be mealies, if adults are present, but if not, then they could be anything, including just dust specks.

    An alcohol or a soap solution spray cannot hurt though, just in case. And do watch out for adults - then you'd know for sure.

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