Bugs on Gardenias

Gardenia plants have a showy, scented flower.

Gardenias are native to China and Japan. The plant enjoys direct sunlight, cool temperatures and humid conditions. A healthy gardenia plant has bright shiny green leaves and fragrant blossoms.

Types

Some of the most common varieties of pests on gardenias are mealy bugs, spider mites and scale insects. Spider mites are tiny arachnids in hues of green, yellow, red and brown. The mealy bug has white powder covering it and long filaments on the rear of its soft, 1/8 - inch long body. Scale insects are tiny bugs without legs or antennas. They have lengthy mouthparts that resemble threads.

Damage

Spider mites cause leaves to form flakes and turn the color of bronze. Mealy bugs create damage by ingesting the sap from the gardenia's roots and leaves. Scale insects pierce the leaves of the gardenia with their mouthpieces and suck the sap from the plant. This makes the plants weak and unable to grow.

Prevention/Solution

The only treatment for spider mites is pruning or an application of soap and horticulture oils. Control mealy bugs by washing them from the plant with water. Natural predators like ladybugs and parasitic wasps remove scale insects from plants.

References

• Purdue University Extension: Gardenia---A Gardener's Challenge
• Colorado State University Extension: Spider Mites
• Oklahoma State University Extension: Mealy Bugs
• University of Rhode Island Extension: Scale Insects