Azalea mealybug?

Hi All, think i've got a little case of Azalea mealybug (thanks Jim Lewis for the photo identitys on this rooms stickies). my camemas on the ship (work in my case, just popped home to check on the wife & trees) but i'll bring it home for a propper photo ID from you experts as soon as i can.

In the mean time are what information can you give me about these little fellas? i'v "quarantined " the tree, its only a petite one so i'v sat it in a bucket.

Thanks in advance for any info / advice

Liam

Ah ha, acording to http://www.gpnmag.com/The-Mealybug-Scourge-article6073

neonicotinoid insecticides are the best bet. Delbard here i come!

Any moe info still appreciated. and if anyone knows the name of a good neonicotinoid available here in France, please name drop.

Thanks

Liam

If there are few, squishing them regularly works best.

Only found 3 so far. question is where they came from? it was on an indoor tree and there have been no new additions to that room for a while.

Any how the 3 i found got a pinhead of HCI this morning. still, cant hurt to keep a bottle of néonicotinoïd in the cupboard.

Also came accross a roumour that collecting a couple of ants and putting them on the affected area it a good way to deal with a small infestation. this i'll have to check out when the weather is a little more ant friendly.

I've never heard of the ant solution, and I somehow doubt it.

A soap spray is the least poisonous way to deal with mealybugs.

Quite right Jim. I have read in to it a bit further and Ants would be a bad idea. the Mealy bug produces a sweet syrup called honeydew that ants like to eat so therefore PROTECT the Mealybug.

However here in France, as I’m sure in many places, we have an abundance of Lady Bugs. these little wonders enjoy an insect buffet (be sure to check it's species before introducing it to your plant as some do like a leaf or two)

Other “Heros” would include the Pirate Bug (Orius insidiosis), and the Green Lacewing (Chrysopa rufilabris) but personaly I find the Lady Bug much more pleasing to the eye.

Also medical alcohol (I wouldn’t like to use more than 70%) on a cotton drumstick kills them almost instantly (tried) it breaks down their waxy protection.

Thanks to http://toxipedia.org & http://www.naturescontrol.com for some insightful information.