Pest identification
What's eating my ananas lucidus?
Mealybugs
Signs: White woolly clusters in leaf axils and at the crown junction; yellowing, reduced vigour
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol swabs; apply neem oil drench to axils every 10 days; repeat for 4–6 weeks
Scale insects
Signs: Fixed hard bumps on stems and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew, sooty mold discoloration
Control: Remove by hand and alcohol wipe; follow with neem oil or insecticidal soap; check neighbouring plants
Spider mites
Signs: Fine yellow stippling on leaf surfaces; webbing visible under magnification in dry conditions
Control: Increase ambient humidity, rinse foliage, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until clear
Keep ananas lucidus pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Ananas lucidus pests — FAQ
What is eating my ananas lucidus?
Ananas lucidus (curagua), a smooth-leafed pineapple relative grown as an indoor tropical, is most commonly troubled by mealybugs in the leaf axils. Its smoother leaves (unlike spiny Ananas comosus) make inspection easier. Scale insects may also appear. Low humidity indoors encourages spider mite activity, particularly on new growth near the crown.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on ananas lucidus?
White woolly clusters in leaf axils and at the crown junction; yellowing, reduced vigour Dab with isopropyl alcohol swabs; apply neem oil drench to axils every 10 days; repeat for 4–6 weeks
How do I get rid of scale insects on ananas lucidus?
Fixed hard bumps on stems and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew, sooty mold discoloration Remove by hand and alcohol wipe; follow with neem oil or insecticidal soap; check neighbouring plants
How do I get rid of spider mites on ananas lucidus?
Fine yellow stippling on leaf surfaces; webbing visible under magnification in dry conditions Increase ambient humidity, rinse foliage, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until clear