Ficus pests

[mashby]

Hi everyone.

I was in the garden on Sunday, showing a friend some of my bonsai and potential/possible bonsai, when we came across one of my ficus trees that is growing well but had quite suddenly developed curled over closed leaves on some of the branches. The outside of these leaves also had small black spots on them

When we opened the leaves, there were small white "thrip" type insects all over the inside of the leaves. I went and checked Leong's book on ficus and it appeared to me that the cause of the leaf curl was aphids. So, in accordance with the advice in the book, I moved the plant away from all my other trees, and in the process noticed another ficus had just a few leaves in the same condition.

I then opened up my large rubbish bin and cut off the "infected" or "infested" leaves together with some of the branches, just in case, and left the affected branches and leaves in the rubbish bin.

I have attached some photos. Hopefully you will be able to see the infestation because I was trying to hold the leaf open and photograph the leaves at the same time.

Does my "diagnosis" appear correct?

Kindest regards to you and all your families and may you all be happy, safe and well.

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[Ash]

Yes they are fig thrips. You have taken good action in removing the leaves and disposing of them. Most good insecticides will kill thrips provided you can get it in contact with them. My recommendation is a very thorough spray drench at night or early morning. You may need to repeat it a few times and continue to remove affected leaves and thrip colonies. With perseverance you can clear them from you plants altogether.
cheers
Ash

[Tony Bebb]

Ditto on the diagnosis with Ash. Make sure you get some of the spray into the soil as well. Little buggers can be difficult to eradicate, so a good systemic spray is best.

Best Regards

Tony

[mashby]

Thanks Tony and Ash.

Would Confidor do the job?

[Graeme]

I think Confidor will do the trick, but not sure someone else can confirm that one. I use Malathon on mine when they get real bad. I also just spray my Ficus with soapy water in the evening. The bug that lays the thrip is a night feeder so a spay in the evening will keep them off your Bonsai, usually.

[Tony Bebb]

Confidor will do the job. There is also an old remedy of 50/50 Bushlands detergent and vegetable oil mixed together and diluted at 10 or 20ml per litre, but it needs to be sprayed weekly. Use the confidor to get rid of them and the other is a preventative.

Tony