Mealybugs are a common insect pest in greenhouses , stimulate damage to plants and reducing takings . mealy bug pull up flora fluid through their pierce - suckle mouthparts , leading to stunted growth , yellow leave , wilting , and the product of unenviable honeydew . Mealybugs can be introduced into greenhouses through tropic leaf and succulent plant material consignment , making effectual mastery strategies of import . A combining of ethnical , insecticidal , and biological management strategies need to be implemented to manage mealybug universe .
Figure 1 . Adults , nymphs , and egg batch of citrus mealybug . Photo by the United States National Collection of Scale Insects Photographs , USDA Agricultural Research Service , Bugwood.org .
identify mealy bug is comparatively loose due to their ovoid frame and distinctive white , waxy filaments protrude from their torso . While they keep on their legs in all instar stages , mealybugs rarely move except for the first nymphal instar phase or crawler , which actively searches for a plaza to feed . Some species impart behind clean , cottony egg masses ( Figure 1 ) and excrete honeydew , which can lead to the outgrowth of smutty sooty mould . Their ability to hide in works crevasse makes them particularly unmanageable to get by . Since only adult male mealybugs pilot , xanthous sticky cards are not effective for scouting . Therefore , using a hand lens or magnifying glass to corroborate the individuality of mealy bug is recommended . Keeping phonograph recording of mealybug plague and location will help in ready efficacious management decisions .
Disposal and quarantiningOne of the most effective ways to stop the spread of mealybugs in the nursery is to dispose of intemperately invade flora textile ( Figure 2 ) . Setting up pestis doorsill in your operation is of import to watch when to burn your loss and befuddle away plant material . A pest threshold is a level at which a pest population in a crop reach the level where it begins to get economic losses . In other Scripture , it is the compass point at which the toll of see to it the cuss exceeds the price of the legal injury it cause to the crop . determine a pest threshold requires a comprehensive appraisal of the crop , pest , economic factor , and the availability and effectiveness of management options . Plant material susceptible to mealybugs should be quarantine before introducing into the nursery . For high - value crops where disposal is not ideal , quarantine infested plants aid ensure mealybugs do not open to untouched works . Quarantine protocol will be dissimilar depending on the size of the operation and the crop eccentric , but the basic tone include the pursual :
Figure 2 . Marigold plant life heavy infested with citrus mealybug that should be disposed of . pic by Chazz Hesselein , Alabama Cooperative Extension System , Bugwood.org .
Figure 3 . Citrus mealybugs on prow of plant life . photograph by Charles Olsen , Charles Olsen Insect Collection , USDA APHIS PPQ , Bugwood.org .
SanitationProper greenhouse sanitation is crucial to mitigate the facing pages of mealybugs . It is important to keep greenhouses uncontaminating . Doing so will help to minimize mealybug problem before the spring growing season start .
The first step in greenhouse sanitation is to take away all works rubble . Weeds , industrial plant debris , and unsalable plants can serve as hosts for insects , mites , diseases , and plant viruses . Reading the Michigan State University Extension Greenhouse Weed Management Strategy is recommended for managing gage . Remove all weeds and works junk and place them into a tightly seal , covered garbage container to prevent blighter and pathogens from migrate out and back onto the main harvest . think back to remove constitutional material and debris ( medium , spend plants , other organic stuff ) daily to increase the effectualness of disinfectants .
mealy bug are easily spread in a glasshouse . Therefore , cultivate employee / workers on the importance of sanitation practices is important . worker should be trained to describe signs of mealybug infestations on industrial plant and the region in the greenhouse where mealy bug are usually settle to foreclose infestation from propagate . It is also significant to cue worker to wash off their hand ofttimes and disinfect not only tools and equipment but also any containers , tray , or other point used to transport plants . By taking these measures , workers can serve reduce the peril of spreading mealybug in a glasshouse .
Pesticide controlDue to their protective waxy covering , mealybug populations can be challenging to manage with insecticide . The covering is piddle - resistant and reduces their vulnerability to insecticide residues . Most insecticides have determine activity on mealybug eggs . The nymphal stages are the most susceptible to insecticide because they have not formed the waxy covering . insecticide need to be applied frequently , at least once per week , due to the presence of multiple multiplication .
When using insecticides to manage mealybug universe , be certain to turn out insecticide with different modes of action . This will reduce the likelihood of mealybugs develop resistance . come to to theInsecticide Resistance Action Committee ( IRAC ) websitefor information pertaining to insecticide style of natural process .
For a unadulterated list of recommend insecticides for managing mealybugs , check out theMSU Extension Greenhouse Pest Management Guide .
biologic controlBiological ascendance agent , such as mealybug destroyers ( Cryptolaemus montrouzieri ) ( Figure 4 ) and lacewing larvae ( Chrysoperla spp . ) , can be purchase and released to oversee mealybug populations .
Figure 4 . Cryptolaemus montrouzieri grownup feeding on citrus mealybug . Photo good manners of Sonya Broughton , Department of Agriculture & Food Western Australia , Bugwood.org .
Source : canr.msu.edu
