Pest identification
What's eating my moth orchid?
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown bumps on leaves and pseudobulbs; sticky honeydew, sooty mold, and yellowing leaves
Control: Scrub off with alcohol-soaked cotton pads; follow with monthly horticultural oil spray; remove and bin severely infested leaves
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy clusters at leaf sheaths, root crowns, and under leaves; distorted new growth
Control: Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; drench the crown and root zone with diluted neem oil; repeat weekly
Thrips
Signs: Silver streaks and brown scarring on petals and buds; flowers abort or open distorted
Control: Remove affected blooms; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap spray; introduce predatory mites in greenhouse settings
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adults hover around bark mix; larvae damage fine roots causing yellowing and wilting
Control: Allow bark to dry between waterings; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench; use yellow sticky traps
Keep moth orchid pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Moth Orchid pests — FAQ
What is eating my moth orchid?
Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis) is most commonly attacked by scale insects and mealybugs hidden at leaf bases and root crowns. Thrips scar flowers and buds, while fungus gnats breed in bark-based potting mix. Keeping bark open and free-draining and quarantining new plants are your best preventive tools.
How do I get rid of scale insects on moth orchid?
Hard brown bumps on leaves and pseudobulbs; sticky honeydew, sooty mold, and yellowing leaves Scrub off with alcohol-soaked cotton pads; follow with monthly horticultural oil spray; remove and bin severely infested leaves
How do I get rid of mealybugs on moth orchid?
White waxy clusters at leaf sheaths, root crowns, and under leaves; distorted new growth Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; drench the crown and root zone with diluted neem oil; repeat weekly
How do I get rid of thrips on moth orchid?
Silver streaks and brown scarring on petals and buds; flowers abort or open distorted Remove affected blooms; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap spray; introduce predatory mites in greenhouse settings
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on moth orchid?
Adults hover around bark mix; larvae damage fine roots causing yellowing and wilting Allow bark to dry between waterings; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench; use yellow sticky traps