Help in identifying what has invaded my kumquat tree

[stellarfan]

Hello everyone,

this morning I noticed some kind of white fluff plus several weird small creatures on the underside of my little kumquat tree. I have had the tree (which has been growing, flowering and producing fruit steadily) for about a year and am keeping it in my very sunny and (due to the Spanish weather currently very hot) winter garden. I have never seen anything like this before and am sure that this wasn't there about a week ago. None of my other plants seem to have similar issues (so far). If anyone has any ideas what this is and how I could get rid of this issue, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much.

 

[Chuck]

Hello everyone,

this morning I noticed some kind of white fluff plus several weird small creatures on the underside of my little kumquat tree. I have had the tree (which has been growing, flowering and producing fruit steadily) for about a year and am keeping it in my very sunny and (due to the Spanish weather currently very hot) winter garden. I have never seen anything like this before and am sure that this wasn't there about a week ago. None of my other plants seem to have similar issues (so far). If anyone has any ideas what this is and how I could get rid of this issue, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much.

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What you have are mealybugs, a type of scale insect. These bugs will, in time, form a waxy coating on their bodies and adhere themselves to the plant. They are a damaging bug so eliminate them ASAP buy either dabbing them individually with rubbing alcohol or by spray with insecticidal soap, Neem Oil or horticultural oil.

 

[stellarfan]

Thank you very much. Will get on that right away.

 

[Inkozana]

Hello,
I just joined this website but may I recommend you try some beneficial predatory insects to fight this mealybug? Such as cryptolaemus, harmonia or similar ladybug, lacewings ... Things like that. They will be a natural alternative to sprays. Hope this helps.