Guest Columnist
Mealy bugs (Pseudococcidae) are tiny whitish insects. Sizes vary anywhere from roughly 1/6 to 1/4" (larger is possible) with their actual identity obscured by a cotton candy appearance. They occur on several different vegetables, but seem to be most noticeable on tomato plants. They're in abundance this year, but are often overlooked due to their cottony appearance. Adult females are oval and have a waxy, white, cottony appearance. On a tomato plant, they look like an unmoving, tiny piece of cotton candy.
They are, in fact, very slow moving. If one stops to examine the numerous stems on a tomato plant and sees one to many small white patches on the stems, those white patches are, in all probability, mealy bugs. While stems are where they are most noticeable, they may also appear on the undersides of leaves and at stem joints. While tiny, they can, in quantity, completely wilt a tomato plant. They're piercing and sucking insects, piercing the plant skin to suck out sap.
Mealy bugs excrete a honeydew, which gives leaves a sticky appearance as well as attracts other pests such as ants and later sooty (black) mold. Mild infestations cause few problems, but a major infestation will weaken, wilt, and subsequently kill plants. Infestation can occur at any time, but is usually most noticeable right before transplanting and during the August time frame.
A mild infestation can be treated by simply pulling the bugs off the plant, squeezing and dropping into a sack for disposal. Ladybird beetles feed on both the insect larva and adults. More serious infestations require treatment. There are several non-organic chemicals, but an organically approved chemical called neem oil is effective. Serious infestations will require multiple treatments. Make sure leaf undersides are sprayed. Follow directions exactly to prevent harm to the plant.
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