The main pests of orchids. Photos and descriptions of insects and how to get rid of them?

Sometimes it happens that unwanted guests - pests - settle in on your favorite orchid. This can happen for many reasons, and the gardener needs to know what to do in this situation to help his tropical beauty.

Let's look at the main pests of orchids and describe the damage they cause to the plant.

If a phalaenopsis is attacked by bulb mites , they suck out the sap from the roots.

Actively eat leaves:

• Thrips larvae,
• Slugs,
• snails,
• Caterpillars.

Drink juices from orchids:

• Nematodes,
• Spider mites,
• Aphids.

If pests are not detected in time and destroyed, the plant may die .

Types of insects: name, description, causes and methods of treatment

Let's talk about the most common insects that can appear on a flower with their photos, descriptions and control methods.

Shield: how to treat?

Scale insects and false scale insects are yellowish-brown insects whose diameter does not exceed 5 mm. They mainly affect weakened orchid plants that are oversaturated with nitrogen fertilizers.
To combat these parasites, use a soap-garlic solution, ethyl alcohol and a soap-oil emulsion. The following insecticidal preparations are used: Fitoverm, Aktara, Aktellik.

White mealybug

Miniature insects with antennae and an oblong body, 3-6 mm in size, similar to snow-white lumps of cotton wool. They settle on flowers that are weakened and oversaturated with nitrogen fertilizers. To eliminate them, the plant is sprayed twice with Fitoverm.

Read more about mealybug control and signs of infestation here.

Poduras or multi-tails and the fight against them

Poduras, or polytails, are translucent white or light brown caterpillar-like insects. Pests appear as a result of excessive irrigation when moisture stagnates and silt deposits form.

You can get rid of polygons using the following means:

• washing the plant with soapy water;
• replacing 3-4 cm of the top soil layer with clean sand or ash for 4-5 months;
• spilling the substrate with Aktara, Fitoverm or Mospilan.

If there are a lot of dams, irrigation is reduced by half. If the roots rot, they are removed and the plant is replanted.

Thrips

Small insects no larger than 2.5 mm in size with paired wings that resemble sticks in appearance, multiplying rapidly in dry and warm environments. To get rid of them, the plant is isolated and then treated with Fitoverm or Actellik.

You will learn about what types of thrips attack an orchid and how to get rid of them from this article.

Nematodes

Nematodes are thread-like, half-transparent worms, 0.5-1 mm long. They integrate into the leaves, root system and buds of orchids and feed on their juice.

The causes of infection by nematodes may be the proximity of an infected plant, irrigation with poor-quality water, or transplantation into an affected substrate.

A hot shower, isolating the plant and treating it with antiparasitic drugs - Decaris or Levamisole - helps to destroy pests. In the fight against larvae and adult insects, treatment with insecticidal agents is effective: Fenamiphos, Carbofuran. In advanced cases, they resort to replanting the plant and calcining the prepared substrate in the oven.

Ticks

Small and very dangerous pests that are difficult to detect in a timely manner. There are bulbous, armored and spider mites. To combat them and to prevent the appearance of pests, heat treat the substrate in the oven for 5-10 minutes at a temperature of 150-180 degrees.

Read how else to deal with spider mites and oribatid mites here.

Aphid

A half-transparent flying insect 1-4 mm long. Aphids are found in greenish, black and whitish colors. The plant is attacked by insufficient irrigation and low humidity.

If the pest population is small, the bush is washed with clean warm water. When there are a lot of insects, the plant is treated with a soap solution or foamed laundry soap. Among chemical agents, a 3% solution of Chlorophos helps.

Whitefly or what to do if there are small insects in the soil?

A whitish insect with wings measuring 1-1.5 mm. Easily moves from one plant to another.

White bugs attack orchids due to high humidity, heat and poor air circulation.

Treatment of plants requires an integrated approach. The flower is washed with water and laundry soap. In such cases, processing of green mass with substrate, carried out using Aktara, Vertimek or Fitoverm, also helps. The second spraying is performed a week after the first.

Helps prevent re-invasion of whiteflies:

1. increasing the humidity level in the room;
2. systematic wiping of foliage;
3. monthly watering of the soil under running water.

Snails, slugs and woodlice

Insects with an oblong shape and a scaly shell. They are dark gray and yellow marbled, with 7 pairs of legs. They often get into the soil in a plant pot when it is outdoors. You can actually lure them with a piece of cucumber or apple, then collect and dispose of them.

You can get rid of pests by washing the roots and replanting the plant in a fresh substrate.

Caterpillars

Any butterfly can visit an orchid standing outside and lay larvae on the foliage. If the clutch is not detected in a timely manner, the caterpillars will hatch. These are very voracious pests, capable of destroying the entire green mass in a short period of time.

It is possible to catch a few caterpillars by hand or spray the plant:

• onion or garlic infusion;
• wormwood decoction;
• peppermint tincture.

To combat numerous individuals, use “Dichlorobenzene” (acephate), acting according to the instructions.

Centipedes

These insects have an elongated body and many legs. Color varies from gray to rich brown. They move at high speed, making them difficult to catch.

Pests can be caught using bait made from potatoes, cucumbers and apples.

Some orchid owners place beer baits in flower pots. You can spill the substrate with warm water or spray it with Actofit or Bitoxibacillin. Transplanting the plant into a new substrate helps in the fight against them.

Root mealybug

Root insects are gray-yellow or light pink. They have an oval body and a length of 2-4 mm. They suck out the juice from the roots, which can lead to the death of the plant.

To fight the parasite:

1. The flower is removed from the pot;
2. The rhizome is washed and disinfected in a weak solution of manganese.
3. The old substrate is disposed of and the pot is disinfected.
4. The orchid is planted in new soil.

You can resort to treating the substrate with a dry contact-intestinal insecticide. Irrigation will lead to the dissolution of the powder and the death of insects.

Sciarids or midges

Miniature black midges that live in the soil. Their length is 3-4 mm.

The greatest threat to the orchid is the sciarid larvae; they eat the roots and cause enormous damage to the plant.

The appearance of fungus gnats is associated with systematic waterlogging of the soil. You can get rid of them by drying the substrate and irrigating with insecticides. The drugs are used according to the instructions. For flying species, aerosols must be used. The containers are treated until the pests are completely gone.

Possible errors during treatment

If your plant is still sick, then when saving it from pests, in order to achieve positive results, it is important to avoid the following mistakes:

1. Use strong pesticides unnecessarily. Aggressive drugs can destroy not only pests, but also beneficial microorganisms in the substrate.
2. Allow an overdose of the medicinal drug: when preparing the solution, you must strictly follow the instructions.
3. Prepare a solution in reserve: when storing the finished preparation for treating plants for a long time, the active substances lose their effectiveness. It is better to prepare the solution in small portions, taking into account one treatment.

At the first signs of pest damage to a flower, remove it to a separate room until it is completely cured.

Signs of flower infection

Several signs can indicate a pest infestation.

• The appearance of black spots on the foliage: they indicate a spider mite infestation.
• Silvery or moldy coating on leaves, peduncles, roots or buds.
• Redness and curling of leaf blades.
• Wilting of the plant.
• Root system rotting.
• The appearance of white, yellow, brown dry or wet spots on the leaves.

Spots on leaves sometimes occur from viral and bacterial diseases, as well as from violations of care conditions. Find details here.

What danger do they pose?

Since pests feed on the juice and nutrients found in the orchid, its growth stops, flowering stops or becomes scarce, the leaves change shape and become elongated. After a while, the phalaenopsis will begin to wither and then die. What parts of the plant are affected? Pests mainly attack the stems, roots and leaves of the plant ; they suck the juice from these elements, as a result of which the flower withers and dies.

How to get rid of it: step-by-step instructions

The method of getting rid of pests depends on the type of parasite and the degree of infection of the orchid. In some cases, folk remedies help, in others you have to use chemicals.

To save a plant from pests, you must:

1. Isolate the orchid from other flowers.
2. Carefully inspect the plant and remove any parasites found.
3. Cut off damaged areas of greenery, sprinkle these areas with crushed coal, and treat with an antiseptic.
4. Place the container with the flower in water for a few minutes. This will get rid of insects that float to the surface.
5. Wipe the flower with a sponge dipped in soapy water. For varieties with dense foliage, you can use alcohol, the main thing is not to burn the green mass during this treatment.
6. Replace the topsoil or the entire substrate. In some cases, a pot change is required.

Next, if necessary, treatment should be carried out with one of the chemical or biological agents.

Why might pests appear on an orchid?

There are many reasons for the appearance of insects that harm the orchid. The main ones are:

• the flower purchased was infected in the store;
• use of contaminated substrate;
• transfer of pests from a neighboring plant.

Important! In any of these cases, immediate measures must be taken to save the orchid.

Buying an already infected flower

Store orchids are not always kept in ideal conditions. In addition, a large accumulation of flowers in one place greatly increases the risk of disease or pests.

A healthy phalaenopsis can be distinguished by the following characteristics:

• leaves are bright green, elastic, dense, smooth;
• roots are green or golden, elastic, hard;
• It is desirable to have a young leaf in the rosette;
• flowers or buds are placed on a strong peduncle.

If the leaves are wrinkled, covered with a sticky white coating, their plates are dotted with spots and dots, then the orchid is infected. Limp, brown, moldy roots also indicate the presence of disease or pests. This type of phalaenopsis cannot be purchased.

Reference! Before purchasing, you should shake the flower pot. A healthy orchid is firmly anchored in the flowerpot by its roots. If the plant dangles in the container, such a purchase should be abandoned.

Pests in the substrate

Soil taken from a street flower garden is highly likely to be contaminated. You can also introduce pests into the soil by making your own substrate. It is enough for one of the necessary ingredients to be infected.

Reference! To protect the flower, it is recommended to buy ready-made substrate for orchids in specialized stores.

Transfer of insects from another plant

If they want to maintain the design of the room or in order to save space, some owners place flowers in one place too close to neighboring ones. This can be observed especially often on window sills. In this case, if one specimen is infected, there is a high probability of pests spreading to neighboring orchids.

Reference! Experienced gardeners recommend maintaining a distance of 25–50 cm between flower pots. The main criterion is that the plants should not touch each other with their leaves.

Chemical and biological agents

You can rid your orchid of pests using the following medications:

• Aktara.
• Actellik.
• Fitoverm.
• Agravertine.
• BI-58.

Aktara: use and dosage in ampoules

It has an extensive intestinal-contact effect and helps well in the fight against various types of insects from scale insects to thrips and aphids. This is a safe product that provides the orchid with protection from pests for 2 weeks. Available in ampoules and powder. Ampoules are often used to treat indoor plants.

Dosage of dilution of the drug: a 1.2 gram ampoule is diluted in 6 liters of water and the plant is sprayed.

There should be weekly intervals between treatments. Aktar can be used in combination with Epin and Zircon.

Actellik: how to dilute?

A systemic insectoacaricidal agent that has proven itself in the fight against harmful insects that attack orchids. For long-term protection, a single treatment is usually sufficient. Actellik serves as a working solution. 1 ml of product is diluted in one liter of liquid.

The roots and stems, as well as foliage, are treated with the drug. If necessary, the procedure is repeated after 7 days. For maximum effectiveness, the treated plant is placed in polyethylene and kept for several days in a ventilated room.

Actellik is a drug of the second class of toxicity. When using it, it is important to follow safety precautions, use gloves, goggles, a respirator, and carry out processing outdoors.

Spray Bona forte

Suitable for getting rid of many crawling and flying insects.

It is best to carry out the treatment in the morning or evening in diffused light. Before use, it is better to test the spray on several leaves. If after 1-2 days everything is in order, then you can completely irrigate the flower. If necessary, the soil can also be treated with a spray.

Fitoverm

Biological insectoacaricidal drug that helps in the fight against mealybugs, aphids, mites, thrips. The remedy is used based on the type of parasite. To destroy spider mites, 1 ml of concentrate is diluted in 1 liter of liquid. For aphids – 1 ampoule in 600 ml of water. For thrips – 1 ampoule in 0.5 liters of water. In other cases, the dosage is 1 ml of product per 1 liter of liquid.

To destroy parasites, spraying with Fitoverm must be performed 4 times with an interval of 10 days.

How to treat the plant?

The choice of control method depends on the type of pest and the degree of infestation of the plant. Sometimes treating the flower with a soap solution is enough. But most often it is necessary to use potent drugs.

How to treat with chemicals?

The use of chemicals provides a guarantee of getting rid of all types of parasites. They can penetrate the pest’s body through contact, through the intestines, and systemically (in both ways).

The chemicals are harmful to humans and animals. They are divided into classes according to the degree of danger. The higher the class, the more toxic the drug. The most popular chemicals are:

1. Aktara (grade 3) has a wide spectrum due to its systemic effect on parasites.
2. Actellik, Karbofos (2nd class) are used against ticks, scale insects, fleas and aphids. Most often, one treatment is sufficient.
3. BI-58 (class 3) is a universal drug with a wide spectrum of action. Process 1 time.
4. Acaricides (Fufaron, Antiklesch, Neoron) are indispensable for getting rid of ticks.

Attention! Chemicals are used according to instructions in the fresh air or in a well-ventilated area.

How to fight with folk remedies?

Small colonies of pests are removed by spraying with decoctions and infusions. Well proven:

• yarrow;
• chamomile;
• nettle;
• marigold.

The grass is scalded with boiling water and kept in it for a day. Using a spray bottle, spray phalaenopsis daily until the pests completely disappear:

1. To prepare a soap solution, dilute 50 g of finely ground laundry soap or 1 tablespoon of liquid soap or detergent in 1 liter of water. The entire flower is washed generously with the solution.
2. 40 g of tobacco dust is stirred in 1 liter of water, left for 24 hours, filtered. The entire flower is sprayed with the solution.
3. A medium-sized onion is passed through a fine grater, poured 1 liter of boiling water, left for 7 hours, filtered. The resulting infusion is sprayed onto the ground part several times a day for 4–5 days.

Reference! Steamed citrus peels dug into the substrate cleanse it of pests.

Biological drugs

They contain plant components and a small dose of poisons. Harmless to humans, do not accumulate in the plant, and do not cause addiction to pests.

The most famous are:

• Fitoverm;
• Bicol;
• Nemabact;
• Bitoxibacillin;
• Aversectin S;
• Lepidocide.

Reference! Despite their safety, medications should be used according to instructions.

Soil treatment

To combat pests and their larvae living in the substrate, mandatory soil treatment with water, solutions or special compounds is required:

1. To get rid of many parasites and larvae, it is enough to wash the soil in warm (40 °C) running water for 3–5 days.
2. If a scale insect is detected, the substrate is shed with a systemic insecticide.
3. To combat the nematode, 1 tablet of levamisal should be dissolved in 1 liter of water and water the substrate generously. The treatment is repeated after 5–7 days.
4. If a scale insect is detected, the substrate with the lower part of the orchid is sprayed with Fitoferm. After 7–10 days, the procedure is repeated.

Prevention measures

The condition of the orchid must be monitored from the moment of its purchase. This will protect the flower from harmful insects.

1. When purchasing, carefully inspect the plant.
2. From time to time, inspect for spider webs with spots.
3. Provide diffuse lighting for 12 hours a day.
4. Regular spraying in the morning prevents waterlogging and drying out of the soil.
5. Use settled water at room temperature for irrigation.
6. Monitor the temperature: during the day the recommended value is 22-27 degrees, and at night – 15-20 degrees.
7. Do not neglect the timely application of complex fertilizing.
8. For replanting, use a soil mixture prepared by yourself, disinfect it by freezing or roasting in the oven.

Caring for phalaenopsis after treatment

To be sure of the final death of all insects, you need to keep the flower under supervision for 2 weeks. To quickly restore strength, phalaenopsis needs to create the most favorable atmosphere:

1. During the day, maintain the temperature at 18-27°C, at night – 13-24°C.
2. Place the plant on a well-lit windowsill without active sun. Daylight hours should last at least 12 hours.
3. The plant should be fed no more than once every 3 weeks with orchid formulations. Excess mineral elements have a bad effect on flowering and flower growth.
4. Water the bush only after the substrate has completely dried, using melted or boiled water for watering. It should be 2-3°C warmer than the room temperature.

In summer it is enough to water the orchid 2-3 times every 7 days, in winter - 1-2 times a week.

Timely identification of pests and proper treatment is an important condition for saving a damaged orchid.

conclusions

The whitefly is not as harmless as it seems at first glance. Small colonies of insects will not cause significant harm to orchids, but they can be the source of a very serious viral disease that can destroy delightful plants. Therefore, you should not hope that a cute little white-winged butterfly will circle and fly away, but it is better to take timely precautions aimed at protecting the orchid from a cute but unwanted moth tenant.

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Natural nematicides

There are several known natural nematicides that are environmentally friendly and approved for use in the European Union and Great Britain. First of all, these are polysulfides produced from garlic cloves.

The fruits of the neem tree (synonyms: margosa or azadirachta indica) and preparations based on them, as well as the roots of marigolds and calendula, have a nematocidal effect. Experienced orchid growers, fearing nematodes, add dried fragments of them to the substrate in small quantities.

Types of nematodes

Depending on their habitat on the plant, nematodes are divided into groups:

• leafy;
• stem;
• root.

Leaf herbivorous worms belong to the genus Aphelenchoides. They are colorless and extremely mobile, body length no more than 1 mm. They lead an endoparasitic way of life, that is, they live inside the plant, entering through mechanical damage and stomata of leaf plates. They live and produce egg clutches in the mesophyll - the soft tissue of the leaf between the two epidermal layers, in the cells of which chlorophyll is formed, thus paralyzing photosynthesis.

Stem nematodes - representatives of the genus Ditylenchus up to 1.7 mm long - parasitize not only on stems, but also on leaves, buds, and flowers. The larvae penetrate the plant through the roots and cause tissue thickening in the affected areas, which makes them different from leaf nematodes. The life cycle occurs at temperatures from 5 to 34 degrees, up to 5 generations develop per season. The last, fourth larval stage freezes under unfavorable conditions and remains outside the host plant for up to six months, or even a year. Stem nematodes are practically never found on orchids.

Root-knot nematodes belong to the genus Meloidogyne and are an extreme hazard in greenhouses. They parasitize more than 400 species of cultivated plants, including terrestrial orchids. Epiphytes are rarely attacked by this pest, which produces up to 13 generations per growing season. The female lays eggs in oval sacs, which she forms on the surface of the root. During 2–3 months of its reproductive age, the number of eggs it produces reaches 2500. The development cycle of one generation lasts 24–28 days. Males are rare. The second stage of larvae is resistant to unfavorable environmental conditions and can remain viable for up to 6–12 months.

What should you avoid in insect control?

If you notice that the condition of your plant has worsened, then do not panic and take on all methods at once. Clearly identify the problem based on symptoms and approach treatment wisely . Timely intervention will definitely help save the life of your flower. You should not overuse various types of chemicals, because an orchid is a delicate flower.

There is no need to experiment with different methods of struggle; if one specific remedy is chosen, then it should be used to the end.

Appearance of the nematode

The phylum of protostomes or roundworms includes over 2,400 species of parasites of animals, plants and humans. Representatives of approximately 400 species, or 20% of all currently known nematodes, belong to herbivores.

Externally, the body of the worm is thread-like, round in cross-section - hence their name, whitish in color, almost transparent. The feeding method left its mark on the structure of the nematode’s digestive tract. The mouth is a thin sharp tube - a stylet - with which the worm pierces plant tissue.

The body of the nematode contains large glands that produce enzymes and substances toxic to plants, which are injected through a puncture into the plant tissue and paralyze the vital activity of its cells. There is a thickening in the esophagus - the bulb, which plays the role of a pump that draws in the juice of the flower.

The nematode lacks the circulatory and respiratory systems, but the nervous and excretory systems are well developed. The body length of the herbivorous nematode is 1–2 mm; females look larger than males. The shape of the body can be not only thread-like, but also spindle-shaped, sometimes resembling a barrel or a lemon. Roundworms live and reproduce, laying eggs, at a temperature of 18–24 degrees Celsius.

Podura (springtails)

Podura

Pests are small insects that jump on the substrate. Most often, these gray-white or gray-brown insects can be seen on the surface of the substrate after watering. Podurs are typical inhabitants of moist substrate. Most often they appear on orchids that grow in moss. It is difficult to catch insects: they are quite nimble and jumping. The most dangerous fools are that they eat young roots. Therefore, these pests need to be removed as soon as possible, without giving them the opportunity to multiply and destroy the orchid.

Reason for appearance

The appearance of undergrowth indicates that the orchid is kept in a substrate that is too wet.

How to get rid of idiots

First of all, you need to eliminate the cause of their appearance - dry the substrate. You also need to reduce watering for a while and sprinkle the surface of the soil with sand. After this, the plant needs to be sprayed with Fitoverm.

Prevention

The place where the orchid stands must always be kept clean - in this case, the plant will never harbor poduras and other insects harmful to home flowers.