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Mealybug

There are many types of mealybug and they are quite common and often host-specific. These sap sucking insects are 1-5mm in size, and their activity and growth depends on the temperature. They can grow from egg to adult in four weeks at 26oC, and eight weeks at 20oC. They suck sap from the plant causing distortion, yellowing, and defoliation, and they produce honeydew that could become infected with sooty mould. Often their presence will be accompanied by ants.

There are many different species of mealybug and all of them feed on plant sap. Heavy infestations of mealybug often lead to leaf drop and even plant death.

Mealybug is the common name given to insects of the Pseudococcidae family. There are many different species of mealybug, all of which are un-armoured scale insects that feed on plant sap. Greenhouse crops are susceptible to mealybug infestation where the protected environment is often perfect for their survival. Indoor plants, orchids, cacti and succulents are also favoured hosts for mealybug.

Mealybug infestations are often recognised as fluffy white growths around leaf axils on plants. Male mealybug are very different in appearance to the females as they are much smaller, have wings and resemble tiny dark-coloured wasps.

Heavy infestations of mealybug often lead to honeydew contamination of the host plant, which not only makes the plant sticky but also encourages the growth of sooty moulds. This can also lead to leaf drop and even plant death.

Independent research studies have shown that SB Plant Invigorator can be highly effective at controlling common mealybug species.

Apply SB Plant Invigorator thoroughly to the upper and lower leaf surfaces to the point it runs off the infested plant, follow by a similar application one day later to control an established infestation of mealybug.

The initial application will remove the protective wax from the adults and the second application one day later should effectively kill them.

Eggs and the small mobile juveniles are more difficult to control with SB Plant Invigorator so further regular applications of SB Plant Invigorator at weekly or fortnightly intervals are recommended to ensure the infestation is fully eradicated.

Continued regular use of SB Plant Invigorator will protect plants from further established mealybug infestations.

Spraying as often as weekly may seem excessive but please remember SB Plant Invigorator provides a foliar feed, comprehensive pesticide and mildewcide all at the same time.

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