Mealybugs: The Hidden Menace Beneath the Branches

Mealybugs... the hidden menace beneath the branches. Mealybugs tend to occur on meristematic tissue or in areas rich in nutrients, such as around the cut where the fruit stalk was removed, or on side shoots. When mealybugs attack, they suck the sap from the meristematic tissue until that area dries out, which can cause developing flower buds to wither, as well as cause the tips of branches with young leaf growth to dry up and die.

A clear characteristic of mealybugs is that they spin protective white, cotton-like filaments around themselves in the meristematic areas they infest.

Prevention and control of mealybugs: during the flowering stage, or when flower buds are opening, it is necessary to use mild, non-"hot" chemicals for spraying, such as Abaaga at a rate of 200 cc per 200 litres of water, or Sambazu at a rate of 100 cc per 200 litres of water, or Pipos at a rate of 300 grams per 200 litres of water, or Banale at 200 cc per 200 litres of water. If it is the post-harvest stage, or the leaf-flushing stage,