Two species of bugs taking over my plants

10 years ago

Hello everyone,

I have just recently started growing plants and am thus just learning the joys of bugs! And not just one species, two!

The first is on my poinsettia plant. The bugs are grayish with little white flecks on them. They conglomerate in one spot either on a leaf (underside) or on the branch itself. A white feathery/cottony gloop accompanies these bugs. They are very visible to the naked eye. The picture on this post shows these bugs. I think these are aphids?

The second is on my pentas plant. The bugs are almost microscopic and look to be a reddish brown. There are millions of them going along spider webs. And all these white specks started showing up on the leaves as well. Also the tips of the leaves are all turning brown. I think these are spider mites?

I believe that both of these pests are very bad for the plant so I'd love to be able to identify them and know how to get rid of them, if I can. I appreciate any help!

- First timer.

This post was edited by lilisin on Fri, Sep 6, 13 at 18:10

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

lilisin
Original Author
10 years ago
This picture corresponds to the bugs on my pentas plant.

I now can't seem to stop wanting to itch my head seeing all these bugs!
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
10 years ago
I think the first one is a type of leaf hopper. If you disturb the film they are hiding in a bug will hop out. I've found spraying with Neem Oil will take care of them.

I think the second photo may be a bad infestation of spider mites. Spraying with a sea weed solution three times three days apart will do them in. It's been said just spraying water three times three days in a row will disrupt their breeding cycle.

The Neem Oil you may find in a ready to spray bottle. The sea weed you will have to buy in a concentrate to be mixed with water and sprayed. You may have an old Windex bottle you can use .Both are organic.. Spraying with insecticides just makes matters worse as you kill the beneficial insects that prey on these pest insects, not to speak of bees and butterflies. This is especially true in the case of spider mites.
Related Professionals
Norfolk Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Allentown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Lakewood Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Norton Shores Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Anderson Landscape Contractors · Cincinnati Landscape Contractors · Darien Landscape Contractors · Kahului Landscape Contractors · Long Beach Landscape Contractors · Tehachapi Landscape Contractors · Archdale Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Coconut Grove Window Contractors · Greatwood Window Contractors · West Springfield Window Contractors · Portage Window Contractors
lilisin
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for the very prompt response to my post. Apologies for taking so long to reply to you with my gratitude.

I'm happy to let you know that the bugs are gone!

The white ones I initially sprayed heavily with water then the rest were swept away after a few heavy rainfalls.

The spider mites are also gone. I read online that they hate capsaicin and other spicy chemicals so I concocted a brew made up of jalapeno, Vietnamese hot sauce, garlic and lemon, let that sit then drenched my plant in the liquid. It did kill some parts of my pentas plant but once I pruned the damaged parts away, I was left with a healthy, non-infested plant. And now it has a lot of new growth and is even blooming right now.

So, success!
Thank you again.