Aphids (I think)

[sticky]

I have this white waxy stuff infesting the leaves on my papaya trees, when it gets as bad as the image it usually kills the leaf. I find new outbreaks every day. I spray with Chaindrite but seems to have no effect. What is the fix for this?

[PoorSucker]

Moved to Plants, Pets & Vets in Thailand.

[drtreelove]

It appears to be "mealy bugs", an insect pest related to soft bodied scale insects. The adults implant themselves on the soft tissue and feed by inserting piercing mouth parts and sucking out plant juices.  The waxy stuff is a protective coating, which makes Chaindrite pyrethroid products ineffective because they are a contact spray and not systemic. Systemic insecticides are not appropriate for food plants. Wood vinegar is an organic program compatible insecticide and  may be effective, especially if you start earlier in the season during the early stage of the life cycle, and before the population of adults builds up. 

There are very limited chemical control options but the good news is that they are really easy for mechanical control. Hose them off with a jet of water, it doesn't take much to reduce the numbers significantly.  Another option if your plant(s) are reachable, is to wipe them off with a rag or cotton gloved hand. 

 

Build soil fertility but don't over fertilize. Nutrient density builds plant resistance to pests and diseases.  

[sticky]

9 hours ago, drtreelove said:

It appears to be "mealy bugs", an insect pest related to soft bodied scale insects. The adults implant themselves on the soft tissue and feed by inserting piercing mouth parts and sucking out plant juices.  The waxy stuff is a protective coating, which makes Chaindrite pyrethroid products ineffective because they are a contact spray and not systemic. Systemic insecticides are not appropriate for food plants. Wood vinegar is an organic program compatible insecticide and  may be effective, especially if you start earlier in the season during the early stage of the life cycle, and before the population of adults builds up. 

There are very limited chemical control options but the good news is that they are really easy for mechanical control. Hose them off with a jet of water, it doesn't take much to reduce the numbers significantly.  Another option if your plant(s) are reachable, is to wipe them off with a rag or cotton gloved hand. 

 

Build soil fertility but don't over fertilize. Nutrient density builds plant resistance to pests and diseases.  

Thanks very much for the information, I will do as you suggest.