Pest identification
What's eating my ferocactus latispinus?
Mealybugs
Signs: White wool in the central growing areoles and at the base of major spines; slow growth and soft, discoloured patches
Control: Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton bud; treat entire plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat weekly for a month
Root mealybugs
Signs: Plant fails to respond to watering; persistent soft, shrunken appearance; white waxy insects on roots when checked
Control: Bare-root, wash, soak in systemic imidacloprid drench, dry thoroughly for several days, repot in fast-draining cactus mix
Scale insects
Signs: Brown, fixed, shield-like bumps along the rib edges; localised yellowing; sticky deposits around the attachment points
Control: Scrape off with a toothbrush; apply neem oil or horticultural oil spray; monitor and repeat after 2 weeks
Keep ferocactus latispinus pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Ferocactus latispinus pests — FAQ
What is eating my ferocactus latispinus?
Ferocactus latispinus — the Devil's Tongue barrel cactus — is most often troubled by mealybugs in the woolly crown and root mealybugs in the soil. Scale insects occasionally colonise the ribs. Spider mites can flare on stressed plants in dry winter rooms. Its heavy spination provides some physical protection but not against sap-suckers.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on ferocactus latispinus?
White wool in the central growing areoles and at the base of major spines; slow growth and soft, discoloured patches Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton bud; treat entire plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat weekly for a month
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on ferocactus latispinus?
Plant fails to respond to watering; persistent soft, shrunken appearance; white waxy insects on roots when checked Bare-root, wash, soak in systemic imidacloprid drench, dry thoroughly for several days, repot in fast-draining cactus mix
How do I get rid of scale insects on ferocactus latispinus?
Brown, fixed, shield-like bumps along the rib edges; localised yellowing; sticky deposits around the attachment points Scrape off with a toothbrush; apply neem oil or horticultural oil spray; monitor and repeat after 2 weeks