Twisted lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is a beautiful tropical plant that can be grown indoors or outdoors as a hanging plant. It has long, slender stems with dark green leaves and bright red or orange tubular flowers that bloom in clusters. However, like any other plant, twisted lipstick plant is susceptible to pest infestations. One of the most common pests that attack twisted lipstick plants is the crusader bug.
Crusader bugs (Mictis profana) are tiny insects that suck sap from the leaves and stems of twisted lipstick plants. They are also known as assassin bugs or ambush bugs. Crusader bugs are green or brown in color and have a long, narrow body with long legs and antennae. They are usually found on the undersides of leaves and can be difficult to spot.
If left untreated, crusader bugs can cause significant damage to twisted lipstick plants, including yellowing leaves, wilting, stunted growth, and even death. In this article, we will discuss how to identify and get rid of crusader bugs on twisted lipstick plants.
Crusader bugs are small, oval-shaped insects that are about 1/4 inch in length. They have piercing-sucking mouthparts that they use to suck sap from the leaves and stems of plants. The bugs are usually green or brown in color and have long antennae and legs. They are often found on the undersides of leaves and can be difficult to spot.
To identify crusader bugs on your twisted lipstick plant, look for the following signs:
There are several ways to get rid of crusader bugs on twisted lipstick plants. Here are some effective methods:
One of the simplest ways to get rid of crusader bugs is to manually remove them from the plant. Use a pair of tweezers or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to carefully remove the bugs from the undersides of leaves. Be sure to dispose of the bugs in a sealed plastic bag to prevent them from spreading to other plants.
Insecticidal soap is a safe and effective way to get rid of crusader bugs on twisted lipstick plants. Mix a few drops of mild liquid soap with water in a spray bottle and spray the solution onto the leaves and stems of the plant, focusing on the undersides of leaves where the bugs are most likely to be hiding. Repeat this process every 7-10 days until all the bugs are gone.
Neem oil is another natural remedy that can help get rid of crusader bugs on twisted lipstick plants. Mix a few drops of neem oil with water in a spray bottle and spray the solution onto the leaves and stems of the plant, focusing on the undersides of leaves where the bugs are most likely to be hiding. Repeat this process every 7-10 days until all the bugs are gone.
Horticultural oil is a petroleum-based product that can help suffocate and kill crusader bugs on twisted lipstick plants. Mix a few drops of horticultural oil with water in a spray bottle and spray the solution onto the leaves and stems of the plant, focusing on the undersides of leaves where the bugs are most likely to be hiding. Repeat this process every 7-10 days until all the bugs are gone.
Preventing crusader bugs from infesting your twisted lipstick plant is much easier than getting rid of them once they are present. Here are some prevention tips:
Crusader bugs (Mictis profana) are small, oval-shaped insects that suck sap from the leaves and stems of plants. They are also known as assassin bugs or ambush bugs.
Look for yellowing or wilting leaves, stunted growth, small holes in leaves, sticky residue on leaves (honeydew), and the presence of small, oval-shaped insects on the undersides of leaves.
You can manually remove the bugs, use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oil to get rid of crusader bugs on twisted lipstick plants.
Keep your plant healthy, inspect new plants before bringing them indoors, keep your plant in a clean environment, and quarantine any infested plants.