Hello fellow forum members, I am new to this forum and could use some help. I have a fine Phoenix roebelenii (miniture date palm) and am having some issues with it. About 2 months ago we suddenly had a lot of very small flies in our appartment, which a great amount were to be found dead around the palm tree. When having a closer look, I found some white stuff on the branches which looked like cotton. I have here 2 pictures, one about 2 months ago, without treatment and the other after treating the palm tree 3 times with pesticide. The white stuff hasnt completely dissapeared and the small flies see to still be around. I first thought the flies were fruit flies, but they are even a bit smaller. Glad for any help I can get, to save my palm tree of more suffering and certain death :)
Probably Cottony Cushion scale or Mealy bugs. The flies may have been Fungus gnats. All thee require re-treatment to be effective and since you don't mention the scalicide/miticide or insecticide used we have know way of knowing if they're likely to be effective.
Well the pesticide contains Chlorpyrifos, Cypermethrin but dont know much about it actually to be honest. it just says its for indoor plants against parasites...
Chlorpyrifos non-systemic contact insecticide meaning it's limited to the crawling stage of scale insects. Systemics are more effective on sucking insects(mites, mealybug, scale). Cypermethrin is a fast-acting knock down insecticide for flying insects. If you want to retreat use them at least twice a week apart or according to label intervals. Many people find it less trouble to dispose of a mealybug or scale infested plant.
