Insects on my million bells flowers. - Ask Extension
My million bell flowers have small insects on them which I’m unable to ID. Please ID them and recommend what I might safely use on them.
Knowledgebase
Insects on my million bells flowers. #875549
Asked July 01, 2024, 5:42 PM EDT
My million bell flowers have small insects on them which I’m unable to ID. Please ID them and recommend what I might safely use on them.
Marion County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear Joan,
Thank you for contacting us about the insects on your flowers. Do the insects seem to fly? And what kind of damage they are causing?
With a little more information we may be able to advise you.
Thank you for contacting us about the insects on your flowers. Do the insects seem to fly? And what kind of damage they are causing?
With a little more information we may be able to advise you.
There is some chewing/holes on the lowest leaves of the plant but that may have occurred earlier. There doesn’t seem to be new holes. I suspect they are sucking the plant juices. I see no flying insects like white fly. The blooms and underside of the young leaves are covered with what seems like very small eggs and white debris which may be some very small white exoskeletons left. I’ve used a magnifier but can see no more details. They are not bothering the geranium in that same pot.
Dear Joan,
Thanks for the extra information. You may have a plant that is a magnet for several types of tiny insects. Aphids, in particular, often select particular plant species.
Since the insects are visible, your best approach would be to spray them with either insecticidal soap (homemade sprays can damage plants), or Neem oil. Note that the soap sprays must come in contact with the body of the insect to be effective.
Here is some information about aphids. The controls also apply to other small sucking insects.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/nursery/common/nursery-crop-aphids
I hope this information is helpful. Please write again if you have more questions.
Thanks for the extra information. You may have a plant that is a magnet for several types of tiny insects. Aphids, in particular, often select particular plant species.
Since the insects are visible, your best approach would be to spray them with either insecticidal soap (homemade sprays can damage plants), or Neem oil. Note that the soap sprays must come in contact with the body of the insect to be effective.
Here is some information about aphids. The controls also apply to other small sucking insects.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/nursery/common/nursery-crop-aphids
I hope this information is helpful. Please write again if you have more questions.
