The parasite that commonly infects the succulent is the cochineal. The aerial part can be attacked by the mealybug easily recognizable, as the colonies seem just cotton balls. If parasites are few you could crush them with a toothpick, if the infestation is extensive it is more practical to use an insecticide.
As a daily practice you have to inspect the softest parts of succulents, for cacti, especially the vegetative apex, so as to eliminate the pests by hand at their first appearance.
Another species of cochineal particularly insidious, because it is hidden from view, is one that attacks the roots of succulents. You may begin to suspect his presence when the plant is weakened and growth is arrested. At the bottom of the pot, if the infestation is advanced, you can find the insects that come in search of new victims. In this case you have to countersink the plant and clear all the roots from the soil. Then we apply a systemic insecticide and left to dry the roots for at least one week prior to repot into a new substrate. As a preventive treatment of this scourge, which can easily infest our collections, as constituted by pots side by side, I recommend watering succulent with a systemic insecticide at least twice a year, in early spring and late autumn before the winter break. The systemic insecticide is absorbed by the plant in such a way that, for a certain period the sap of the plant is toxic for parasites. This type of insecticide is particularly valuable to eliminate those parasites that can not be achieved by spraying a normal insecticide on the aerial part of the plant. Unfortunately, they are often quite dangerous for humans and are difficult to find.
Another pest that damages aesthetically succulent is commonly known as red spider mite. It is smaller than the head of a pin, but their colonies are easier to identify, as they are characterized by small webs that cover the entire infested area. In addition, the bites of these mites cause the appearance on the plant surface of small yellow spots that will remain after the elimination of parasites. For these parasites you need to use a specific insecticide or an acaricide.
As a prevention, because the mites reproduce easily if the atmosphere is dry, it should be sprayed periodically our succulents. Also in the summer, at least once a month, when you are sure that the water deposited on plants evaporate quickly, strongly I recommend to spray all the plants with a spray bottle to wipe the surface thoroughly, removing the dirt which is a favorable conditions for the settlement of mold and pests. The tufts of hair of many cacti will not appear softer and a bit crushed, but at least the parasites appear more sporadically.


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Classification

Agavaceae

Aizoaceae

Apocynaceae

Asclepiadaceae

Asteraceae

Cactaceae

Crassulaceae

Euphorbiaceae

Liliaceae

Moraceae

Portulacaceae