Therefore, it is important to effectively manage insect and mite pests on poinsettias, especially before bract formation, because very few insecticides and miticides are labeled for poinsettias when in bract. The insect and mite pests of poinsettias feed on the roots, leaves or stems, and bracts:
The Lewis mite, Eotetranychus lewisi, is not a common pest problem of poinsettias, but greenhouse producers should be aware of this mite pest. The Lewis mite resembles the more common twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, in appearance, but is smaller.
Poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, is widely grown in greenhouses throughout the U.S.A., and like many greenhouse-grown horticultural crops, poinsettias are susceptible to a number of insect and mite pests.
Mealybugs are not a major pest of poinsettias; however, they have become more of a problem. One possible reason is that systemic insecticides applied to the growing medium may not be effective against mealybugs on poinsettias.