Ik! I don't think the plant's too happy, but the bugs are rockin out.
Jim thinks that they're giant whiteflies, and I think that he's right.
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2 comments:
Dizzgusting. But what's all that white hairy stuff? Not aphid-like, although there are many kinds. If they are truly aphids, try to find some lady bugs - you can even buy them at garden supply stores if you can't find any. They looove aphids (breakfast,lunch, dinner and in between).
The best thing would be to put an infested leaf in a plastic bag, and take it to a good garden center and ask. But since it's OUTSIDE your building, you probably don't want to go to all that trouble.
jim
After a bit of research, they may be giant whiteflies from Mexico.
From http://www.weidners.com/whitefly.html
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Giant Whiteflies:
If you live in San Diego County, Orange County Los Angeles County, Southern Texas, Florida and probably Lousiana stop and read this now. All others stop and thank God for small favors.
San Diego has the dubious honor of being the first home base for a new whitefly know as the giant whitefly. It also has a long latin name but we won't make you learn it.
This whitefly entered from Mexico and it was not carrying a green card when it came in. These whiteflies are many times larger than the regular garden whiteflies that have plagued you in the past. They are easy to recognize. They totally cover the undersides of leaves of infested plants. A long white hair hangs from each whitefly giving the leaf a furry, almost flocked look. The circle of eggs is easily seen by the naked eye. An irregular circle of little white dots.
The favorite host plant is HIBISCUS. After that they go for zylosma, avocado, citrus, begonias, cannas, bananas, jade plants, and about 40 more species of plants. The list keeps growing. Left alone they will completely cover a hibiscus and eventually kill it. They seem to stay on a plant they like rather than spreading immediately to lots of other plants. The older shadier leaves are favored. Beacuase of the masses of white hairs and sticky excretions it is very difficult for beneficial insects to penetrate to the larvae. Too hairy! The same goes for spray material. This is one bad bug from Hell!
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jim
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