Hello Sweet Monkey Cheese,

" This was not a Zinnia plant, but I get the rootbugs on several plants in
that one bed and I won't be surprised to find them in my newer beds as I
don't have raised beds, just amend my Florida sand. "

Those little boogers do look like a possible threat for zinnias. I took the liberty of enhancing a crop from one of your pictures (which are quite good) to show the details a bit more. You can click on the picture for an even closer view, and hit the F11 key for a slightly larger view yet. You can undo F11 by hitting it again.

I hope I don't see anything like that here in Kansas, although we have our share of pests here, including nematodes, thrips, and spider mites. Fortunately outdoors they all have natural enemies that tend to keep them in check. That zinnia field that you and your daughter (I'm guessing that she is your daughter) were standing in gives hope that zinnias can be successful in Florida.

" From what I have read these are really hard to get rid of, soil drench of chemicals is what is needed. "

Yes, I think a drench of a systemic insecticide should do the trick on the Mealy Bugs. Indoors I use a little Imidacloprid to prevent fungus gnats and reapply if aphids or thrips become a problem, I haven't needed to use insecticides in my outdoors zinnias.

" And just think... These aren't even the never ending nematodes we deal with down here! "

I actually encountered some nematodes in my indoor potting mix. I looked at them under a microscope. Fascinating writhing see-through snakes! That is when I decided not to re-use my potting medium.

" Side note, pill bugs, I wonder if those are the RollyPollys I use to love to play with at my grandparents house as a child! "

Yes, they are the same.I also played with them as a kid on our farm in Oklahoma, and had problems with them in my gardens in Texas. And they are here in Kansas, too. But a sand mulch keeps them away.When their numbers build up, they can be damaging. Gardening can be a kind of interesting adventure.

ZM

The great thing about Florida is it never gets too cold.... The bad thing about Florida is it never gets too cold so bugs and some plants (weeds, invasive vines) thrive year round and nothing seems to "die down" at times it feels like our baseline is mild infestation.

But Florida is all I know so it all seems normal to me.

I think Zinnias are successful here! Even if they are not perfect, the fact that the seeds are cheap, they grow super quick and provide beautiful blooms that attract butterflies is all I need. They might not last as long with our humidity, but while they are here they are a treat!

Sweet, if it makes you feel any better (it shouldn't), your critters are simply run o' the mill pesky mealy bugs, not the dreaded root mealies. The latter have quite a different appearance.

Most people don't realize that our common mealies will infest the root system of susceptible plants, especially in a fluffy container medium, or sandy soil, and in warm climates.....inside or out.

I wish it did make me feel better... but it does not. I still cant see anything is "wrong" with plant until it is kinda too late and I cant spray them off with a hose. Ugh when it is on the leaf to see you at least know ohh that's a problem. I guess I can't blame them for wanting to munch on a root instead of a leaf, they are as pale as I am and I bet they burn just as quickly!!! LoL.