[Arid_gardener] cochineal scale on prickly pear

[Linda Drew]

Your description sounds like the problem might
be cochineal scale, a tiny insect that produces the
waxy 'cotton' to protect itself. Try washing off
the white material with a strong stream of water
from the hose. You may want to remove pads
that are very heavily infested.

For more information:
http://ag.arizona.edu/gardening/news/azdailystar/fuzz_prickly_pear.html
http://ag.arizona.edu/urbanipm/insects/cochineal.html

Linda Drew
Master Gardener


>From: anniebndan at earthlink.net
>To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
>Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
>Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2006 12:14:17 -0700 (MST)
>
>Anne
>85015
>anniebndan at earthlink.net
>
>Prickly pear, about 11 years old, very healthy, developed something that 
>looks like cottage cheese all over the pads.  It has spread quickly and the 
>cactus now appears to be dying.  What could this be and how to treat? Thank 
>you.
>
>
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