mealybugs on Astrophytum Asterias
Quick answer
If your Astrophytum Asterias has mealybugs, the most likely cause is: Astrophytum asterias is attacked by mealy-bugs that look like very small woodlice about 2mm long, covered with a white mealy substance, whose eggs sit in white tufts close to the plant and whose feeding sucks the sap from the ribs and areoles. Once the fluffy white colonies establish in the crevices between the tubercles, the cactus becomes sticky, pale and weakened.
Start here:
- 1. Dab every visible white tuft with methylated spirit (or better still, 1 part nicotine to 30 parts methylated spirit) on a small camel-hair brush so the waxy coating dissolves and the mealy-bugs die on contact, working carefully between each rib of the Astrophytum asterias.
- 2. Follow up with a systemic insecticide or a malathion spray at label rate so any hidden bugs and newly hatching nymphs are killed through the sap, repeating at the manufacturer's interval until no fresh tufts appear.
Why Astrophytum Asterias gets mealybugs
Astrophytum Asterias
Astrophytum asterias is attacked by mealy-bugs that look like very small woodlice about 2mm long, covered with a white mealy substance, whose eggs sit in white tufts close to the plant and whose feeding sucks the sap from the ribs and areoles. Once the fluffy white colonies establish in the crevices between the tubercles, the cactus becomes sticky, pale and weakened.
How to reverse mealybugs on Astrophytum Asterias
- 1
Dab every visible white tuft with methylated spirit (or better still, 1 part nicotine to 30 parts methylated spirit) on a small camel-hair brush so the waxy coating dissolves and the mealy-bugs die on contact, working carefully between each rib of the Astrophytum asterias.
- 2
Follow up with a systemic insecticide or a malathion spray at label rate so any hidden bugs and newly hatching nymphs are killed through the sap, repeating at the manufacturer's interval until no fresh tufts appear.
Keep mealybugs off this Astrophytum Asterias
Inspect Astrophytum asterias regularly around the areoles and at the crown for any white fluffy tufts, keep the plant free of debris, and apply a preventive systemic insecticide at intervals so new colonies cannot establish on the spineless ribs.