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Signs of damage
- Traces of piercing. Most homopterans feed on plants, so if the plant is infected, you will be the result of their activity.
- Honeydew. This sugary and sticky secretion is a result of homopteran feeding.
- Black sooty mold. This burning-like mold grows in the honeydew.
- Wax texture of the leaves. It can be caused by mealybugs infestation.
- Decreased growth. The plant becomes weaker in general, so the disease affects its growth.
- Change of the leaves' color. They become yellowish or brownish.
How to prevent
Keeping natural predators like ladybugs or lacewings can be extremely helpful. You can also create suitable conditions for birds like hummingbirds that can eliminate these pests. Also can wipe your plants regularly with neem oil.
Heal
A sweep net can be used to collect Homoptera. However, these insects are alert, so don't disturb the area of their location before catching them. Preserved alcohol or a killing jar can also be great for killing them, but these methods work only in the short term. To get more specific pieces of advice on treating Homoptera, you need to know which species affected your plant.
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