Pink Hibiscus Mealy Bug post in Bug ID forum

A member in the Cayman Islands has posted pictures and links of the Pink Hibiscus Mealy Bug in the Bug ID forum. They were discovered in Florida in 2002 and are expected to spread, potentially costing the citrus and other growers billions of dollars. There's a really good link there if you're interested.



http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/708212/

Thanks for the link Claypa. It looks like those critters can make a mess of a variety of tropicals.

Hi Claypa

Those are very nasty buggers. I have a friend who's nursery was shut down because of them. The Fl. citrus industry is already in a very bad way because of a killer virus and this mealybug will only make it worse.

David

Hey guys...caribblue here....

Just made a post on the welcome mat stating my current subscription to Dave's.....thanks all for posting the link for me...this is a nasty pest and education could be the only key to prevent it's rampage!! I am looking forward to this new relationship with people that have the passion as I do...Keep up the good work kids, it's paying off!!!

Aurabest,
john

Good afternoon everyone!

Well, it seems that the Department of Agriculture is too busy or something.....over a week has gone by and even though they know that this yard of mine is infected with the Pink Hibiscus Mealy bug (PHM), there has been NO follow-up visit to release the wasps and Ladybugs as stated. The infected plant is now in dire straits and I am heading out now to prune all of the infected areas. Stay tuned to this forum as I will post before and after shots of it. It pains me to do this but I can't seem to get anyone to move on this. The carnation hibiscus next to the infected plant is starting to show signs of infection now, I can't wait any longer....Shucks! A large investment going to the double bagged file. Oh well, at least the action I take may protect the rest of the yard and the neighborhood too!!! I will keep y'all posted...thanks for the ear....

Aurabest,
john

This message was edited Apr 14, 2007 11:53 PM

How sad, so sorry for you John.

By the way, welcome to DG, you'll find lots of friends and information here.

Do these pests not respond to a horticultural oil treatment to smother them? I realize this would not be feasible on a large scale but for the homeowner who finds an infected plant would it work to keep them in check?

Ok, it's done for now.

I have just finished pruning all the infected areas that I could see on the plant. I did notice that the lady bugs were working hard on it but not fast enough to keep the PHM from taking control. Now, I will spray the plant with a liquid from a red can in a sprayer bottle...I will keep monitoring it daily to see if the PHM come back with a vengence or not. I noticed a lot of dead leaves on the ground around it that also had the dreaded white fur on them. I picked most of it up. However, we do have a breeze today and I don't want to spread it by picking it up. I took a chance pruning in the wind but something had to be done today. Following are pictures, one before, one after, a close up of the PHM, and lastly, one that shows how much was cut off. Thanks for listening. Enjoy your Sunday. This is the before shot.

This message was edited Apr 15, 2007 10:31 AM

The after shot.

Close-up of PHM, (pink hibiscus mealy bug)

The cuttings filled a 5 gallon bucket. I also filled a 1 gallon ziploc so I can watch the pests suffocate!!! The lab is enjoying a seed pod from a poincianna tree.

I know they are beginning to release crypts (a special lady beetle that feeds on mealybugs) in many of the Caribbean countries. If you check on its history, it saved the citrus industry in California back in the late 1800s from total devastation - within a year! Be careful with those chemicals. Many don't kill that mealybug - just the lady beetles that feed on it! And then you're back to square one.