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ORNAMENTAL PESTS
 APHIDS
Found mostly on young developing leaves, stems and flowers. Can build up large populations quickly but rarely cause any significant damage. Produce honeydew, which ants and sooty mold feed on. Attacked aggressively by ladybugs.
 MEALY BUGS
Soft-bodied insect covered with a white, powdery or cottony, wax-like material. Often congregate together in stem crotches or under leaves. A major problem on interior foliage plants and greenhouses. Occasionally attack landscape plants.
 SOOTY MOLD
Black fungus that grows on the excretion (honeydew) of aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs and soft scales. Does not attack the plant itself. This fungus detracts from the beauty of plants and can be hard to wash off even after it has been killed.
 WAX SCALE
One of several species of armored scales, these insects secrete a waxy covering over their bodies protecting themselves from predators. Tiny holes in the armor indicate tiny parasitic wasps have attacked the scale. The armor may stay on the plant long after the insect beneath has died.
 CYCAD SCALE
A foreign invader from Asia recently brought into Florida through Miami. Attacking only Cycads (sago palms, coonties etc.), it builds up extremely large populations and unlike other scales, also infests the root system of host plants. The thick crust of scales is difficult to remove even after they have died. Removing heavily infested fronds aids in control.
 WHITE FLIES
Resemble small white moths and are usually found on the underside of leaves. Will fly up when the leaves are shaken. Two species, the Sweetpotato and the Giant, are more severe on our landscape plants than others. The Sweetpotato whitefly is very difficult to control due to its genetic resistance to pesticides. The Giant whitefly, found mostly on Hibiscus, produces long white silky strands reaching lengths of several inches. |
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772-569-3986
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