Question
QUESTION: We have a small plant nursery and have discovered soil mealy bug in many of our pot plants, and that it is also in our home garden soil - and have now found it is even at our farm in the garden there.  We did begin to dispose of plants and pots that were affected, but found that because it is so widespread this is not feasible.  We are in southern Australia.

What exactly is soil mealy bug, what damage does it do, and most importantly, how can we get rid of it or at least keep it under control and stop it from spreading?  HELP!

ANSWER: Lori,

Mealy bugs are related to aphids and scale insects (see http://www.livingwithbugs.com/aphids.html and http://www.livingwithbugs.com/sca_ins.html if you are not familiar with these). All these insects tap into the plant's vascular system and feed on plant sap. Some can be very destructive while others hardly damage the plant at all. Mealy bugs tend to be somewhat host plant specific so you should be seeing these on only a few different kinds of related plants (all varieties of maple for example). Mealy bugs can be treated with insecticides but you should really get the help of someone local to figure out which species you have and its potential for damage. If you have a university nearby start with the entomology department or contact CSIRO. Post a follow up if you have questions.

Jack DeAngelis
http://www.livingwithbugs.com



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, Jack, for your reply.
I'll try and see if one of the Adelaide universities can help identify it for me.  By the way, I did try the CSIRO - and the entomologist who replied said he had not realised we have soil mealy bugs in Australia!

Answer
Lori,

Sounds like a plan. If it turns out to be a pest species you may need to treat with insecticide. Imidacloprid (see http://www.livingwithbugs.com/merit_insecticide.html for a US label) is a good choice if you have an appropriate Australian label. Also, mealy bugs tend to develop slowly so the longer plants stay in one place the greater the chance of developing an infestation. One strategy for nursery growers is to rotate (sell out) your pot stock as quickly as possible and never keep "pet" plants in the same greenhouse.

Jack DeAngelis
http://www.livingwithbugs.com