Pest identification
What's eating my lepismium bolivianum?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters along stem edges and at branch joints; sticky honeydew and yellowing or shrivelling stems
Control: Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab directly to colonies; follow with neem oil spray every 7–10 days
Scale insects
Signs: Small brown or tan bumps fixed to the flat stem surfaces; stems yellow and lose vigour
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; treat with horticultural oil spray; repeat every 2 weeks for 6 weeks
Spider mites
Signs: Silvery scarring and fine webbing on stem surfaces, most visible in dry winter heating conditions
Control: Increase room humidity; rinse stems under lukewarm water; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray
Keep lepismium bolivianum pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Lepismium Bolivianum pests — FAQ
What is eating my lepismium bolivianum?
Lepismium bolivianum is a forest cactus grown as a hanging houseplant. Its flat, fleshy stems are most commonly attacked by mealybugs and scale insects, which hide along stem edges and joints. Spider mites can appear in very dry rooms. This epiphytic cactus is rarely affected by fungus gnats unless overwatered.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on lepismium bolivianum?
White cottony clusters along stem edges and at branch joints; sticky honeydew and yellowing or shrivelling stems Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab directly to colonies; follow with neem oil spray every 7–10 days
How do I get rid of scale insects on lepismium bolivianum?
Small brown or tan bumps fixed to the flat stem surfaces; stems yellow and lose vigour Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; treat with horticultural oil spray; repeat every 2 weeks for 6 weeks
How do I get rid of spider mites on lepismium bolivianum?
Silvery scarring and fine webbing on stem surfaces, most visible in dry winter heating conditions Increase room humidity; rinse stems under lukewarm water; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray