A Complete Guide to Common Pests of the Bromeliad 'Hongyun Dangtou' and the Latest Control Methods

The bromeliad 'Hongyun Dangtou' has an auspicious feng shui meaning and is deeply loved by many people, who often take it home to grow and decorate their homes, hoping it will bring good luck. However, it is not only people who like it; insects like it too, and the leaves and flowers are often left in a messy state by insects, yet people do not know what to do. Below, the editor brings you the common pests of the bromeliad 'Hongyun Dangtou' and their control methods.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars are mainly the larvae of moths. They mainly chew on leaves and petals, leaving the leaves and petals incomplete or bitten off, causing great damage.

Control method: Spraying with organophosphorus or pyrethroid insecticides can eliminate caterpillars.

Snails

Snails are relatively common in our daily lives. There are mainly two types: one with a flat-spherical shell and a larger body, and one with a flat-round shell and a smaller body. The one that harms the bromeliad 'Hongyun Dangtou' is generally the latter, and it chews on the flowers. In home cultivation, snails are relatively rare and their damage is also relatively minor.

Control method: The control method for snails is relatively simple, and they can be caught by hand. However, in rainy weather, snails move at night, and hand-catching becomes somewhat troublesome, since after all we still need to rest at night. At this time, we only need to scatter some quicklime powder around the flowerpot, and the snails will not come near.

Scale insects

Scale insects are one of the common insect types that harm the bromeliad 'Hongyun Dangtou'. They are relatively small and mainly suck leaf sap, thereby causing green spots on the leaves, resulting in poor plant growth. Their feeding sites also have a sticky secretion, which can very easily cause fungal infection in the plant, causing great damage.

Control method: When there are relatively few scale insects, they can be scraped off or the affected leaves can be directly cut off. When there are relatively many, insecticides such as omethoate and acephate can be chosen for spraying to eliminate the pests.

Spider mites

Spider mites are relatively small and difficult to find. They reproduce extremely quickly and mainly feed by sucking sap. Brown spots will appear on the plant leaves, and the entire plant will be covered with webs and silk threads. This pest is relatively common.

Control method: Buy commonly available acaricides on the market and spray them to eliminate the pests.

Bagworms

Bagworms chew on leaves and often eat the leaf mesophyll clean, leaving only a layer of dried epidermis. When the epidermis dries or falls off, it forms holes one by one in the leaves, and in severe cases the leaves will break apart.

Control method: Use common pesticides for spraying and killing, such as dichlorvos and trichlorfon, and pay attention to safety when using them.

Tobacco cutworm

The tobacco cutworm is mainly active at night, so it is also called the tobacco cutworm thief. It mainly harms the flowers of the bromeliad 'Hongyun Dangtou', chewing on petals and stamens.

Control method: Spraying with organophosphorus or pyrethroid insecticides can eliminate caterpillars.

The above are the pests often encountered when growing the bromeliad 'Hongyun Dangtou', and the editor has also given control methods. Have you learned them? The editor reminds everyone that the insecticides purchased for pest control should be placed in a high and concealed place to prevent children at home from accidentally eating them.