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What kind of insect on Areca Palm?

Asking for a Frond

By Asking for a Frond
in DISCUSSING PALM TREES WORLDWIDE

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Asking for a Frond Newbie

Asking for a Frond

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I was in the garden and saw a dead brown frond on one of our areca palms. I gave it a small tug and it immediately let go, then I noticed its covered in insects and white spots at the base. I'm having a hard time identifying what kind of insect and the proper treatment. We're located in Florida. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

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Edited by Asking for a Frond
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Silas_Sancona Grand Master

Silas_Sancona

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Posted
21 minutes ago, Asking for a Frond said:

I was in the garden and saw a dead brown frond on one of our areca palms. I gave it a small tug and it immediately let go, then I noticed its covered in insects and white spots at the base. I'm having a hard time identifying what kind of insect and the proper treatment. We're located in Florida. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

P8lEYTQ.jpeg

0CRbfCi.jpeg

Ants ..but can't remember what species.. ( Florida has a gazillion sp. ) " White stuff " is likely Mealy Bugs ..or the remnants of them. Ants will " Farm " these ..and things like Aphids for a sugary " Honey Dew " they produce..  Pretty typical and typically harmless to find both hanging out in the crevices of old / dead fronds.. Only need controlling when attacking live fronds / leaflets. Would use something organic to target the Mealys. Once they're gone, Ants will usually move on, though many ants do aide in the decomposition process of organic material, such as this.

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PalmsandLiszt Proficient

PalmsandLiszt

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Mealybugs feed on living, not dead tissue. The ants will also pick them up and move them to fresh pastures when the area they are on ceases to productive in sap (it's amazing how this behaviour evolved, but there you go). You clearly have an ant colony nearby, so I'd check the living fronds.

NickJames Veteran

NickJames

Posted
Posted

I used to have this issue at my last house. 

The only thing that worked permanently was applying Bayer Tree & Shrub which is a systemic insecticide. 

I don’t use it on anything that flowers or is likely to flower within the next year. 
 

While I try to stay away from poisons like that, it did the job. 

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