13

Could you please help identifying this brown shell-like thing growing on the stalk of my avocado plant?

unidentified

There are several of these. It looks like a little shell (with the appearance of a woodlouse's back, but it's not that obviously) and it can be scratched off easily.

Is it a parasite or disease? What's its effect? What should be done about it?

0

2 Answers 2

11

These are almost certainly parasites called Scale insects which suck the juices out of the stem and leaves and cause the plant to lose vigor. In this case it is a Coccus. Fortunately, you have spotted them early, before your avocado has become infested with them, and they can easily be removed in one of the following ways:

  • Scrape them off with a cotton swab that you have dipped in rubbing alcohol;

  • Spray them with a home-made or insecticidal soap solution once every two or three weeks (see here); you will need to do this at least three times to prevent them from returning.

There is a useful article about these bugs and how to control them, here, and another, very detailed one, by the Utah State University Extension, here.

4

Scale insect attack can be a symptom of weaker than normal plant cells, such as produced by overfertilizing with nitrogen. So a longer term solution in this case is to reduce nitrogen fertilizer and/or add some potash to help grow stronger plant cells.

Ants help to spread the scale on the plant by protecting them from potential insect predators. The ants do so as the scale exudes sugary substance that ants like. In a sense the ants are said to be "farming the scale."

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.