Just noticed these little guys on my fig tree... anyone know what they are?  I'm sure they're not beneficial to the fig, but would appreciate any info on them.  Would also like some info on best method of eradication (and ensure that they don't come back)- I'm not too fond of pesticides but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do....

Also have some red spots on the same tree and I'm not sure if they're a result of the bugs, so some help on that too, please!




 

Thanks!

They're probably mealy bugs but they could be aphids.  Safer's soap or neem oil will kill both, rubbing alcohol will kill mealy bugs.  Spray now and in a few days.  All of those are safe pesticides.

I got them last year. I got ladybugs to handle them. Neem oil works, too.

Bad bugs. It's Aphids. They suck the life water from new growth, generally new leaves. I use a teaspoon of Dawn dish soap and water.

Hope that helps

Mealy bugs or boisduval scale. They have a waxy coat. Any of the treatments listed above are effective. Repeat weekly for a few weeks, even after you don't see them anymore to break the life-cycle.

Looks like mealybugs

Yes for mealy bugs.  I would be hesitant to use Dawn or any other dish soap. Most of them are created to "cut grease" as the ads say.  The grease cutting action can remove the waxy coating or cuticle from the surface of the plant.  This can desiccate cells and cause burning of the leaves.  It may not always happen, but most likely in hot weather.  I'd opt for horticultural oil or horticultural soap.  They are less likely to burn the plant.

Just a few cents worth...

few lady bugs and spiders are helping me out this year. it looks like lady bug took permanent resident on the big trees and moving between them as they wish.

A caveat here on applying any oil product: do not do this in full sun. It radically increases the probability of burning the foliage.

Another vote for mealy bugs. The immature stages can sometimes look like aphids. They are related - aphids, leaf hoppers, scale, mealy bugs - same order of plant sucking insects. 

Bad 'bug'.

Thanks everyone... looks like the ladybugs are doing their job!  Still looking into getting some neem oil (surprising how many uses it has)...

My figs thank you!

Keep an eye out for the larvae and if you see aphids or mealy bugs someplace else give the ladies a little time to find them before you spray with anything. They will lay eggs that look like tiny orange jelly beans standing on end and the larvae are orange/black and spiky. They eat more pests than their parents and although neem might not hurt them they will starve with no pests around.

Yeah, ladybugs will clean em out.... don't kill their larvae/pupua

Wow cool pics I never really knew what a juvenile lady bug looks like.

Ohjustaguy... those are GREAT shots.  What an excellent display!  It's terrific to see the whole cycle in one place, perfect tool.

Thank you!

I know this is a really old thread, but WOW, ohjustaguy those are great photos!