My Palm Has White Spots on the Roots

Description

• Mealybugs are slow-moving, flattened and oval-shaped insects. They cover themselves in white, waxy filaments for protection against predators and the elements. These filaments have a fine cottony appearance, making a feeding mealybug look just like a fuzzy, white spot. Mealybugs often feed in groups and can look like a clump of cotton stuck to the pant.

Life Cycle

• Females lay eggs in protected niches on their host plant. Newly hatched nymphs are similar to adults but are smaller, can be yellow, white or red and may not have waxy filaments stuck to them. A mealybug's life cycle depends a great deal on the climate in which it lives. They can overwinter outdoors as eggs, nymphs or adults, depending on the severity of the weather, and indoors they will produce year-round.

Damage

• Mealybugs will feed on almost any part of the plant including buds, flowers, leaves, leaf stems and even roots, according to Florida Palm Trees, a company dedicated to palm tree education. Mealybugs use piercing mouthparts to suck plant sap from their hosts. Their feeding causes stunted, slow-growing plants and premature leaf drop. As they feed, mealybugs excrete a sticky, sweet substance called honeydew that attracts a fungus called sooty mold. This fungus feeds on the honeydew, shading out leaves and preventing photosynthesis.

Control

• You can wipe mealybugs off your palm tree roots with a wet cloth or a cloth soaked lightly in rubbing alcohol. A strong jet of water from the hose can knock them off plants, as well. Insecticides aren't always effective because the mealybug's waxy coating protects them from chemicals. Insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils will work if coverage is thorough and you use repeat applications.