scale insects on Echinocereus
Quick answer
If your Echinocereus has scale insects, the most likely cause is: Scale insects are a distinct pest of Echinocereus and other cacti; unlike mealy bugs they are metallic grey and do not produce the typical white waxy meal, sitting flat against the cactus ribs and sucking sap until the surface is scarred and weakened.
Start here:
- 1. Brush affected Echinocereus stems firmly with a soft brush so that the dislodged scale insects cannot re-attach themselves and die where they fall.
- 2. Apply a systemic insecticide recommended for scale insects on succulents because adult scales are almost impervious to most contact pesticides once they have settled.
Why Echinocereus gets scale insects
Echinocereus
Scale insects are a distinct pest of Echinocereus and other cacti; unlike mealy bugs they are metallic grey and do not produce the typical white waxy meal, sitting flat against the cactus ribs and sucking sap until the surface is scarred and weakened.
How to reverse scale insects on Echinocereus
- 1
Brush affected Echinocereus stems firmly with a soft brush so that the dislodged scale insects cannot re-attach themselves and die where they fall.
- 2
Apply a systemic insecticide recommended for scale insects on succulents because adult scales are almost impervious to most contact pesticides once they have settled.
- 3
Watch the plant for several weeks and treat again as soon as new juvenile crawlers are spotted, since the crawling stage is the one that is easily killed by chemicals.
Keep scale insects off this Echinocereus
Inspect new Echinocereus plants and any quarantine neighbours regularly because scale insects barely move once they settle, and an attentive grower can catch a fresh infestation before it spreads across the whole cactus.