Welcome to our blog post on Common Chrysanthemum Plant Pests! Chrysanthemums, with their vibrant blooms and diverse varieties, are beloved additions to gardens, but like any plant, they can fall victim to a range of common pests that can hinder their beauty and health. This blog post aims to discuss 10 of the most common Chrysanthemum pests, including their symptoms, treatments, prevention, and management. So, buckle up to explore these Chrysanthemum plants’ ten most common pests.
Important Points to Identify & Manage Common Chrysanthemum Plant Damaging Pests for Beginners
- Identifying the Pest: The first step is identifying the pest infesting your Chrysanthemum plant so that you can approach it with the most effective control method.
- Regular Monitoring: Monitor your Chrysanthemum plants regularly for signs of pest infestation. This will help you to identify an infestation early when it is easier to control.
- Sanitation: Remove the fallen plant debris and burn them.
- Natural Control: Several natural control methods can help to manage pests. These include plant extracts, essential oils, predators, and organic insecticides.
- Chemical Control: If natural controls are ineffective, use insecticides as a last resort, and follow the label instructions and dosage carefully.
Aphid Pest in Chrysanthemum Plant
- Damage Symptoms by Macrosiphoniella Sanborni, Myzus Persicae: Aphids extract the sap from plant tissues, causing stunted growth or distorted plant parts and transmitting viral diseases. Infested leaves exhibit wilting, curling, and chlorosis. Aphids excrete sugary honeydew as a byproduct of their feeding, promoting the growth of black sooty mold.
- Survival and Spread: Aphids prefer warm and dry environments of 20-25°C for their growth, reproduction, and development. High humidity facilitates their feeding and reproduction. They prefer actively growing, particularly succulent plant tissues.
- Treatment, maintenance, and Control Measures: Spray cypermethrin, deltamethrin, malathion, diazinon, carbaryl, methomyl, dimethoate, methyl demeton, indoxacarb, monocrotophos, phosphomidon, imidacloprid, clothianidin, and acetamiprid.
Thrips Pest in Chrysanthemum Plant
- Damage Symptoms by Microcephalothrips Abdominalis: Thrips feed on the upper surface of chrysanthemum leaves and cause a stippled or speckled appearance called silvering or bronzing. The affected leaves may become twisted or exhibit a puckered appearance. It can also cause distortion and curling symptoms.
- Survival and Spread: Thrips prefer warm and humid environments of 20-30°C and >60% humidity for survival and reproduction. Dense foliage and lack of airflow provide hiding places and shelter for thrips, allowing them to multiply and move between plants easily.
- Treatment, Maintenance, and Control Measures: Spray bifenthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, malathion, dimethoate, spinosad, fipronil, monocrotophos, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, indoxacarb, thiamethoxam, chlorpyrifos, and malathion.
Bud Borer Pest in Chrysanthemum Plant
- Damage Symptoms by Helicoverpa Armigera: Bud borers primarily target the developing flower buds; they bore into the buds and feed on the developing tissues. These caterpillars can cause extensive damage by tunneling through the buds. They excrete black or brown droppings known as frass. The affected buds show signs of wilting, discoloration, and distortion.
- Survival and Spread: Borers prefer warm and damp climates of 20-30°C for faster reproduction and increased pest activity. They prefer plants in the flowering stage with developing buds. Weeds and crop residues can serve as alternative hosts.
- Treatment, Maintenance, and Control Measures: Spray bifenthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, carbaryl, methyl parathion, endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, malathion, spinosad, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and clothianidin.
Leaf Miner Pest in Chrysanthemum Plant
- Damage Symptoms by Phythomgza Syngenesiae: Leaf miners are minute larvae that tunnel between leaves’ upper and lower surfaces, creating distinct trails or mines. These mines appear as winding, irregular, or serpentine patterns on the leaf surface. The affected leaves show