Treating bugs, such as dried fruit beetles or spider mites on figs, may require spraying. But it made me nervous. long, that may or may not have spotted wings. I was recently gifted a large fiddle leaf fig plant. Dried fruit beetles or sap beetles include related species such as the Freeman and Confused sap beetle. Bunnings had a good tall one which looked really healthy for only $85 and I had an ugly corner in my home which needed filling up, so I thought the Fiddle Leaf Fig would look great there. The plant has been going downhill during the time I have owned it. Tip: The drive home and relocation process may put your plant into shock, but you likely won't notice it for a month or two. They seem to be all the rage don’t they? Introduction: Recently, a new pest was reported attacking ficus trees and hedges in Miami, Florida. Clusters of them may appear on the leaves, often within the dips of leaf veins. An antique cane back chair, modern white side table and fiddle leaf fig tree create an inviting, eclectic corner sitting area. This Whitefly has been most commonly found infesting weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) but has also been seen on the strangler fig (F. aurea), Cuban laurel (F. microcarpa), fiddle-leaf fig (F. lyrata) and banana-leaf fig (F. macllandii). Fiddle-leaf fig trees are the “it” houseplant that refuses to go away. Because spider mites can reproduce quickly and spread easily, a small outbreak can quickly become a big issue! Whiteflies are small, winged insects that belong to the Order Hemiptera which also includes aphids scales, mealybugs, and bugs. From: Blackband Design Photo by: Tessa Neustadt Tessa Neustadt . This pest was identified as the fig whitefly, Singhiella simplex, and is a new US continental record. How to: Care for a Fiddle Leaf Fig. Ficus trees without their leaves are one of the most obvious symptoms of a Whitefly infestation. White, Fuzzy Substance on Ficus Leaves. The Fig Whitefly – A New Pest in South Florida. Older trees may grow fruit, but it shouldn't be eaten. I received a 7 foot Ficus tree about 8 months ago. They are small black to brown beetles, about 1/10 to 1/5 inch (2.5 to 5 mm.) With root rot, the leaves will typically remain dark green with brown spots, but with bacterial leaf spot, the leaf will turn yellow as the brown spot spreads. Like other houseplants, fiddle figs are prone to bacteria, mildew, insect infestations, or drought. The telltale sign of bacterial leaf spot in your Fiddle Leaf Fig is yellowing of the leaves in addition to the brown spots. Some of the leaves are turning yellow. The eggs show as tiny white dots. Spider mites are one of the common pest problems that can occur with Fiddle Leaf Figs. F. benjamina (the weeping fig) F. lyrata (the fiddle-leaf fig) F. sagittata (creeping fig) These trees will provide years of enjoyment when cared for properly. These plants can live for decades, and may occasionally outlive their owners! The fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is a popular indoor specimen plant featuring very large, heavily veined, violin-shaped leaves that grow upright.These plants are native to tropical parts of Africa, where they thrive in very warm and wet conditions. I inspected the soil (the plant is extremely root-bound), and discovered tiny, greyish, iridescent insects in the top layer.