La limpet cochineal It is one of those insects that can become a headache for us if its presence in our plants starts to be massive.
Let's see what it looks like, why it is dangerous and what we can do if when checking our plants we realize that it is causing trouble.
What is the limpet scale?
It is a small insect but with a voracious hunger, as is the case with most species of mealybugs.
What differentiates it from other varieties is that it has physical features that make it easily identifiable:
- Shape. Its body is usually round or oval, very similar to that of the marine limpet. In fact, that is where its name comes from.
- Size. They are small insects that barely measure a few centimeters.
- Colour. It may vary depending on the specific species, but the usual thing is that their body has a dark brown or black tone. However, we can find them in lighter shades, and even reddish ones.
- Protective shield. Its most distinctive feature is that it has a shell that acts as a shield to protect its body. It is hard, waxy and has the appearance of a small scab.
- Legs. Although they are very difficult to see at first glance, the truth is that this woodlouse has small legs that make it easier to move.
Why is the limpet mealybug a threat to our plants?
Although it is a small insect, the damage it can cause to plants is quite large.
Se feeds on the sap of plants, depriving them of the nutrients they need to grow and develop in a healthy way.
In addition, limpet scales They excrete a sticky substance (honeydew) which covers the leaves and stems and hinders the process of photosynthesis. In addition, it turns out that honeydew is a delicacy for ants, which can also cause us to have a plague of these insects.
As if this were not enough, molasses creates a humid environment that is perfect for development of a sooty mold fungus which covers the leaves and stems, clogging the pores and making it even more difficult for our plant to breathe.
As much as we love biodiversity, limpet scale infestations need to be treated because:
- They weaken the plants.
- They affect their ability to photosynthesize.
- They promote the development of other pests and fungal infections.
How do you combat the limpet scale?
We can deal with it with different methods:
Ecological insecticides
The best thing about these products is that they are effective against insects and respectful of plants. That is why we recommend that you always try organic products before resorting to chemicals.
The most commonly used ones are these:
- Potassium soap. It is not effective against the limpet scale because its shell keeps it safe. However, it is useful for eliminating honeydew. Spray it dissolved in water every seven days over the entire plant.
- neem oil It is not immediate, but it is quite effective, because it acts in the long term. It is responsible for causing changes at an internal level in the scale insects, causing them to stop feeding and reproducing.
- Diatomaceous earth. It contains silica, which is a component that dehydrates insects, causing their death.
If the infestation is not serious, you can resort to removing the scale insects directly by hand, applying a cotton swab soaked in alcohol to remove them. The downside of this homemade method is that you will surely miss some eggs and in a very short time you will see scale insects on your plants again.
Another natural alternative is attract insects that feed on these mealybugs, such as ladybugs or lacewings.
Chemical insecticides
If the pest is so serious that it is impossible to control it with organic insecticides, there is no other option than to look for a specific commercial product for the limpet scale. In this case, these are insecticides based on active ingredients such as pyrethrum and imidacloprid.
To protect yourself and your plants, use the product with the appropriate protective equipment and following the manufacturer's instructions. Do not apply it on very windy days so that it does not end up spreading everywhere.
Isolation
If one of your plants is severely affected, the best thing you can do is put it in a place away from the rest of the plants so avoid contagion.
Once you have resolved the problem, you can return it to its original location.
Additional considerations
We already warned you that ending a plague of this type is neither simple nor fast, because we are dealing with a fairly resistant insect. What's more, eggs can withstand treatments even with chemicals.
We have no choice but to be very insistent, but without overusing insecticides so as not to end up damaging the affected plant.
Also, once you have gotten rid of this type of mealybug, it is absolutely necessary that clean the leaves with soapy water to remove the molasses and thus prevent ants from arriving or fungus from growing.
It's better to prevent than to cure
It is always better to take preventive measures than to have to deal with an infestation. In this case, what you can do to prevent the limpet scale from taking over your garden is:
- Check your plants regularly. Look carefully at the leaves on all sides and also at the stems. Don't forget the nooks and crannies, because that's where these insects usually lay their eggs.
- If you detect any mealybugs or eggs, proceed to remove them manually as soon as possible and apply a preventive treatment with neem oil or potassium soap.
- Keep your plants as clean as possible, free of dry leaves and branches that may attract these insects.
- A healthy plant It is less susceptible to pests and infections, so make sure to give your plants the nutrients they need and proper watering.
The limpet scale can be a very annoying and persistent pest, so it is best to prevent it and, if you detect its presence, act as soon as possible to avoid major damage.