Disease ID

DeeWest · November 2016

Any ideas what this is? It is an Eve's Pin Cactus

DeeWest · November 2016

Here is a Bigger pic

Dovefromabove · November 2016

I can't see clearly, but I'm wondering whether it's a type of scale insect - have a look here

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/insects/mealybugs/insect-pests-of-cacti-and-succulents.aspx

DeeWest · November 2016

Thanks Dovefromabove, it looks similar to the scale insect on that link, although I looked closely and it doesn't appear to be moving or to be a 'live' insect, well not to the naked eye anyway. It's very gross, and it has actually killed the plant I think, the tall stems which used to be rigid are now flopping and loose at the base

Dovefromabove · November 2016

Scale insects don't really move - they fix themselves to the plant and stay there under their 'shell', sucking the sap. They're a bit like limpets on a rock.

Guernsey Donkey2 · November 2016

Is it mealy bug LovelyDee? I used to get this problem on my huge cactus collection. They are sort of off white almost like cotton wool. I don't think they did any harm but looked unsightly.

DeeWest · November 2016

Thanks all. If mealbugs don't do much damage then I don't think it can be them, whatever these are have really affected my cactus, some of the stems have degenerated a lot at the base and snapped off easily when I pulled it lightly so whatever it is has done a lot of damage. I don't think they are woolly aphids either those look a little too large. I have had aphid infestations before, and what is onmy plant looks a lot like their egg shells, but I can't see any aphids on the plant. I have seen some pictures of scale insects and I think that's what it is, and it makes sense if they are sap-sucking. A real pain because my plant has totally keeled over Thank you for the help everyone

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