Garden insects and pests

(Continued from last week)

Mealy bugs can be devastating

There are two types of nealy bugs: they are either white or pink. These small sucking pests covered with white cottony fluff are found under the leaves and stems of a wide variety of plants.  Serious attack leads to the wilting and yellowing of leaves. They are prevalent in hibiscus plants and soursop trees.

The pink mealy bug can multiply at an alarming rate so check your plants carefully as soon as you see the signs. This happened in the mid 1990s when it was discovered in  the island of Grenada wiping out ornamental plants and exports, crippling the nutmeg industry for many, many years,