The 6 Important Malabar Spinach Pests + Tested Ways to Detect and Control

Hi, are you a fan of kitchen gardens like me? I love growing Malabar spinach indoors and have it in a container at my house. As a horticultural consultant with a PhD in Plant Protection Science, I know that my Malabar spinach like any plant, can be affected by pests (tiny bugs on plants). Over time, I’ve dealt with several common pests and found ways to manage them effectively. Here’s how I handle the most common ones:

1. Spider Mites (Tetranychus spp.) on Malabar Spinach

Identification: Spider mites are tiny arachnids, often red, yellow, or greenish. I usually spot them by the fine webbing they produce, especially on the undersides of the leaves. They can also cause a speckled appearance on the leaves.

    Damage: These mites suck sap from the plant, which leads to yellowing (chlorosis), leaf drop, and stunted growth. If the infestation gets severe, the leaves become dry and brittle.

    Management:

• I spray a strong stream of water to knock the mites off the leaves, especially under the foliage where they tend to hide.
• I use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control the mites. These are pretty effective, especially when applied regularly.
• I encourage natural predators like ladybugs, predatory mites, and lacewing larvae to keep the spider mite population in check.
• I avoid over-fertilizing, as too much nitrogen can make my plants more attractive to spider mites.

2. Scale Insects on Malabar Spinach

    Identification: Scale insects look like small, rounded, or oval bumps on the stems and leaves. They’re usually yellow, brown, or black and tend to stay in one place.

    Damage: These insects suck sap from the plant and can weaken it, leading to yellowing and stunted growth. They also excrete honeydew, which encourages the growth of sooty mold on the leaves.

    Management:

• I physically remove the scales using a soft brush or by scraping them off with my fingernail.
• If the infestation is large, I apply horticultural oil or neem oil to suffocate the scales. These oils are safe for the plant and pretty effective at controlling the problem.
• I can also use insecticidal soap to treat smaller infestations.
• Regular inspection and promptly removing affected areas help me prevent the problem from spreading.

3. Fungus Gnats (Sciaridae family) are Common Malabar Spinach Pests

    Identification: Fungus gnats are tiny, dark flies that hover around the soil surface. The larvae, however, are the real problem.

    Damage: Fungus gnat larvae feed on organic matter in the soil and can damage the roots of young plants, causing them to weaken and become more susceptible to diseases.

    Management:

• I let the soil dry out between waterings since fungus gnats thrive in moist conditions. This deprives the larvae of their preferred environment.
• I use yellow sticky traps to capture adult gnats and reduce their numbers.
• If needed, I apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema feltiae), which target the larvae in the soil.
• I’ve also used diatomaceous earth on the soil surface, which deters larvae and helps prevent the problem.

4. Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae family) Pests of Malabar Spinach

Identification: Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects that look like little cotton balls. They’re often found clumping together on the stems, leaf axils, or under the leaves.

    Damage: Mealybugs suck sap from the plant, causing yellowing, wilting, and distorted growth. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and encourages mould growth.

    Management:

• I use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to remove mealybugs manually. The alcohol kills them instantly.
• I sometimes spray the plant with a diluted solution of rubbing alcohol and water (about 70% alcohol to 30% water), making sure to cover all the affected areas.
• To prevent re-infestation, I introduce natural predators like lacewing larvae or ladybugs.
• Insecticidal soap or neem oil are also effective in managing mild infestations.

5. Aphids (Aphidoidea superfamily) on Malabar Spinach

    Identification: Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects that can be green, yellow, red, or black. They often gather in clusters on the undersides of leaves or young, tender growth.

    Damage: Aphids suck sap from the plant, causing distorted, curled, or yellowing leaves. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes mould growth.

    Management:

• I spray the plants with a strong stream of water to dislodge the aphids from the leaves.
• I encourage ladybugs or lacewing larvae, which feed on aphids and help control their population.
• I also use neem oil or insecticidal soap to treat aphids.
• For heavier infestations, I may use pyrethrin-based insecticides, though I prefer natural remedies whenever possible.

6. Thrips (Thysanoptera order) Is a Serious Malabar Spinach Pest

Identification: Thrips are tiny, slender insects that are usually yellow or brown. They can be difficult to spot with the naked eye, but I often notice silver or speckled patches on the leaves, which is a sign of thrip feeding. They also leave small, black specks (feces) on the leaves.

    Damage: Thrips suck out the contents of plant cells, leading to silvering, distortion, and discolouration of the leaves. A heavy infestation can stunt the plant’s growth.

    Management:

• I remove and dispose of heavily infested leaves to prevent the thrips from spreading.
• I use yellow sticky traps to capture adult thrips and reduce their numbers.
• I spray the affected plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil to control the population.
• I also introduce predatory mites (like Amblyseius cucumeris) to help control thrips naturally.
• If the infestation is bad, I might apply spinosad, which targets thrips without harming beneficial insects.

The End,

Now it is time to speak about general Pest prevention and control strategies for Malabar Spinach Pests:

• Healthy Plant Care: I keep my plants healthy by providing them with the right amount of light, water, and nutrients. Healthy plants are more resistant to pests.
• Inspection: I regularly check my plants, especially the undersides of leaves, stems, and soil. This helps me catch pest problems early before they escalate.
• Cultural Practices: I ensure proper spacing between plants to improve air circulation, which discourages many pests.
• Sanitation: I remove dead plant material, which can harbour pests and diseases. I also clean my gardening tools and pots regularly to avoid transferring pests.

I assure you by staying vigilant and using integrated pest management techniques, you can keep your Malabar spinach healthy and pest-free!

Elahe Rabiei

Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

 inhouseplant2017@gmail.com