What are the main pests of orchids? A detailed guide to common pest species

1. Scale insects. There are many species, and they are also the most common pest. The main ones damagingorchidsare Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli, orchid scale, and the spiny wax scale, all belonging to the order Homoptera, family Diaspididae. The female adult's scale is long oval or nearly round, brownish yellow or white. Both adults and nymphs suck sap on the leaf stalks, leaf bases, and even leaf surfaces, stunting growth and producing yellow spots. In poorly ventilated, overly wet conditions, scale insects multiply and cause damage especially severely, so the first step is to improve the environmental conditions and ensure good ventilation and air movement - this is the preventive measure. When scale insects are found (visible to the naked eye), a small number can be gently removed with a toothpick; when there are many, spray pesticide for control. For larvae and nymphs, spray dimethoate 1000 times once; for adults, spray Miejieling twice. 2. Thrips. Thrips are pests of the order Thysanoptera, family Thripidae. They lay eggs on flower buds (shoots), and the nymphs and adults suck sap on flowers and plants, deforming the blooms, and even preventing entire flowers or whole plants from blooming. This is especially common onCymbidium ensifoliumflowers from June to September. Control method: when few, they can be crushed by hand or washed off with soapy water; generally, spraying dimethoate 800-1000 times once when the buds are emerging is enough to control them. 3. Aphids. Aphids, commonly known as "qu," are numerous in species and reproduce quickly. They can reproduce by parthenogenesis. Aphids of crops and ornamental flowers can also damageorchids. Common ones include the green peach aphid, cotton aphid, and black aphid. Aphids often cluster to damage tender leaves and flower buds, piercing and sucking sap as nymphs and adults. Some aphids have wings and can fly, so they are a major pathway for spreading viruses. Once found, pesticide control should be applied, spraying omethoate 1500 times. 4. Red spiders and mites. They mainly damage leaves, causing white spots on both the upper and lower surfaces that lose their gloss. Check in April-May and spray trichlorfon 800-100 times, or spray omethoate in summer and autumn. 5. Ants, snails, earthworms and other small animals can be killed with poisoned bait, or furadan can be scattered around the pot. (Hong Liming)