An update and photos from Drew, one of our amazing Horticultural Apprentices, on the biological treatment being carried out on the Ficus trees in The Forum Street:
“So yesterday at work I got to apply biological controls to our very poorly Ficus trees. They are suffering from a serious bout of Mealybug which suck the sap and are vectors for diseases. To help combat this in an eco-friendly way, we have applied a healthy dose of Australian ladybirds (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) which will spend the next few weeks munching on the Mealybugs and hopefully leaving the Ficus much happier”.
The predator insects, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, being placed on the Ficus trees
The predator insects, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, being placed on the Ficus trees
A Cryptolaemus montrouzieri on its way to eat a Mealybug
One of the Ficus trees wrapped in the fleece to prevent the insects from escaping
All the Ficus trees wrapped in the fleece to prevent the insects from escaping
