How to get rid of California red louse?

Aonidiella aurantii

Plants can be affected by a series of pests throughout the year, especially in summer. One of the most common is California red louse, which is nothing more than a type of limpet-shaped mealybug that attaches itself to the leaves to feed on them - being more specific, on the cells.

It multiplies quickly, so unless we prevent it, we can have an important pest and thus lose the plants. To avoid it, I'm going to tell you how to remove it.

What is it?

It is a hemipteran insect native to Southeast Asia whose scientific name is Aonidiella aurantii. It is popularly known as the California red louse, and mainly attacks citrus fruits and some ornamental plants such as rose bushes, privets, ivy or pittosporum.

During the winter it remains hibernating, but with the arrival of spring and especially if it is warm and dry, the females are fertilized and produce a hundred eggs or give larvae directly. These, after a very short mobile phase, will be fixed to the surface of the plants from which they will feed.

What are the symptoms or damages?

They are the following:

  • Discoloration of the affected parts (be it leaves, stems or fruits)
  • Premature leaf fall
  • Premature fruit drop
  • Growth arrest
  • Appearance of other pests (red spider, aphids)

What can be done to eliminate it?

We know that the California red louse loves hot and dry environments, so one of the things to do is to ensure that the humidity is high. How do you do that? Well, very simple: during the summer the plants can be sprayed once a day, in the early morning or evening, or put glasses of water around them.

But if they are already affected, must treat them with an anti-cochineal insecticide following the indications specified on the product packaging.

Spray leaves

We hope this article has been useful to you 🙂.


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