Something killed my coleus. - Ask Extension
There are little white bugs in my coleus that ate through the stems and killed the entire plant. They are mostly noticeable in the root ball. It's i...
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Something killed my coleus. #879978
Asked August 02, 2024, 8:42 PM EDT
There are little white bugs in my coleus that ate through the stems and killed the entire plant. They are mostly noticeable in the root ball. It's in well drained soil with other coleus and an azaela plant. No other planes are affected. What are these?
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Emily,
Thank you for your question and picture. It's a bit hard to see in the picture, but it looks like you may be dealing with some type of soil maggot. I would suggest bringing in a plant to the extension office on Nelson & Hover in Longmont so you can get a pest i.d.
I will also
Thank you for your question and picture. It's a bit hard to see in the picture, but it looks like you may be dealing with some type of soil maggot. I would suggest bringing in a plant to the extension office on Nelson & Hover in Longmont so you can get a pest i.d.
I will also
Hi Emily, it is hard to guess unless you can send a photo or bring in a sample. If it is only one of the coleus it is possible that you brought them home with the plant. I imagine that you have removed that root ball now. It does look like soil maggots as mentioned. Some possibilities on the plant are aphids or spider mites which will weaken the plant and can get into the soil or mealy bugs which are larger may also lead to a cottony substance. So many pests.
If you are able to bring samples to the Extension Office M-F 8-4:30 that would help better identify your pest.
