6

I have found these white moths (very small, winged, can fly) below the leaves of my Arabian jasmine plant, and the plant has stopped flowering and is in a poor state. There are surprisingly some white scaly patches too on the leaves, though I am not sure if these are related with the white moth. They look more like fungi to me though I might be wrong. I have tried using insecticides but they don't seem to be working, and the moths and the scales keep coming back. Can anyone please help me identify the insect/fungus and suggest a remedy?

white fly and scales

Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
  • 6,215
  • 8
  • 39
  • 74
Joydeep
  • 247
  • 1
  • 5

2 Answers2

5

As the renowned Stephie has pointed out in the comment this is Whitefly which is a very common pest. The scales are discarded pupae cases from the larvae.

The key in pest control is to:

  • remove other sources of whitefly which can reinfect the plant. Are other plants infected? Remove them and isolate this plant from healthy ones
  • spray with 5ml dish soap to one liter of water, or, wipe down with a cloth soaked in the solution
  • repeat at five to seven day intervals so you catch the eggs as they hatch
  • three applications or more are likely to be needed
kevinskio
  • 57,927
  • 9
  • 76
  • 157
  • 1
    "renowned" - tsk! I simply didn't have time for an answer (or a duplicate search). But thanks for stepping up - have an upvote! ^_^ – Stephie Dec 03 '15 at 22:27
  • Does wipedown really work on a jasmine? Otherwise that answer is what I would do... @Stephie you are "The Renowned Stephie" :D – J. Musser Dec 04 '15 at 19:50
  • @J.Musser clarified you have to wipe w soap and water. Tedious and time consuming but effective – kevinskio Dec 04 '15 at 22:40
  • @kevinsky Yes, naturally. I just meant using a small sprayer seems like it would give much better coverage, as not all plants are apt for a wipedown. – J. Musser Dec 04 '15 at 22:44
  • @J.Musser a wipedown will crush the eggs that will otherwise be unharmed by soap and water. It's only the pyrethrins and perhaps neem oil that have a residual activity that will control the next hatching without more attention. Some people don't have sprayers and have lots of time. That method is for them. – kevinskio Dec 04 '15 at 23:04
2

Happened to my jasmine plant recently and it stopped flowering for a couple of months. I sprayed some alcohol on the underside of the leaves for a few days straight, trim away damaged leaves and fertilized the soil. She is flowering again almost immediately after that.

user30597
  • 36
  • 1