bugs on plants

alison jackson2

I have a varigated plant like a laural but with smaller leaves - it has a bug of some sort and I don't know what it is. The plant looks like it is covered in sand the bug is all over the plant - the bugs looks like little white lines not more than a few millimetres long and these look as though they turn into black as they are killing certain sections of the plant. The leaves of the plant are falling off. If anyone can advise what action I need to take would be great.

Alina W

Might be thrips, and your plant an acuba japonica.

Buy either pyrethrum if you're organic, or any other general insecticide if you're not, and spray as directed on the bottle until clear. Available from garden centres and large DIY chains - go to a garden centre and tell them what you want if you don't feel confident.

Don't do it in bright sunshine, and wait until evening.

You can trim off the worst affected areas first

alison jackson2

Hi

Many thanks for the reply will source some insecticide and many thanks for letting me know what the plant is - we inherited it from the previous owner of the house.

 

nutcutlet

thrips are harmless, they don't damage plants. think before you spray insecticides and remember they kills insects; bees, ladybirds, hoverflies...........