Mystery Pest (Insect)??
Hi everyone,
I just bought my first Plumeria at the end of November. It was fully leafed out; so I put it near my grow lights.
I guess I was so excited to have found one at this time of year that I didn't pay much attention, but after I got it home I noticed some damage to some of the leaves. I thought it might have been getting ready to go dormant, but as it continued to push new growth; those leaves began showing blemishes.
I inspected the tree with my 10x mag glass expecting to find Spider Mites, but that wasn't it. What I found was some long (one mm at most) narrow orangish, rather fast moving bugs. They were on both the top and bottom of the leaves, I also found quite a few hiding in the crease of the petiole. So I defoliated the whole tree except for the 2 newest leaves; and thoroughly sprayed it off, then I set it at an angle and drenched it with a mix of Rubbing Alcohol & water then rinsed it.
The tree continued to grow even though I set it aside from the lights, but the bugs are still there. My Macro setting doesn't work; so I cant get a photo of one.
I repeated the alcohol treatment tonight, and it continues to put out new growth.
Does anyone know what I might be dealing with here? I have Bayer 3 in 1, and Monterey Neem Oil RTU, but I don't think those are safe to use indoors.
Thanks for reading.
Rob
Comments (6)
- 10 years ago
Related Professionals
Kissimmee Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Chula Vista Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Bend Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Logan Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Elizabeth City Landscape Contractors · Petersburg Landscape Contractors · Elgin Landscape Contractors · New Bedford Landscape Contractors · Portsmouth Landscape Contractors · Mission Viejo Landscape Contractors · Longview Landscape Contractors · Pensacola Architects & Building Designers · Richmond Architects & Building Designers · Watertown Architects & Building Designers · Napa Architects & Building Designers- 10 years ago
Well S***! I figured out what's on my Plumeria. Even after spraying it down Monday, I continued to see damage. I got my mag glass out today for an inspection; and I saw one of these critters on the end of a leaf (a big one). I cut that portion of the leaf off to view under my pocket microscope. Even w/o magnification I could see it start to run, so I grabbed my glass just in time to see it launch itself and fly away............THRIPS!!! AAHHRRRRGG!!!
So I defoliated the tree, put it in my spare shower, and soaked it, & the soil with Neem Oil. There was an inch or so of lava rock as a top dressing which I removed, so now there are some exposed roots. I might repot.
Rob
10 years agohalocline thanked Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
PRO10 years ago- 10 years ago
From what I've read, some Thrip's are better than others, like some will eat Spider Mites. But ultimately you don't want them in your house. They are tough SOB's though, 100% Rubbing Alchohol didn't even kill them instantly.
I've now added to my arsenal...
They are attracted to the color Blue (they make Blue sticky traps), but I made my own w/ Blue painter's tape. I also read that you can put Vanilla extract on cotton balls, Thrip's are attracted to the scent, crawl inside, and cannot extricate themselves.After being quarantined to the bathroom (w/ or w/o light) for a week, it was treated and repotted, and continues to push new growth.
I think I'll spray one more time tomorrow, and see how she goes.:-)
Rob
Gerald Waite