Strange black dots on my Echinocereus Klapperi

[Mark07]

Small black dots are appearing at the growing points of my Echinocereus Klapperi. At first I suspected red spider mite but I can’t see any small spider like critters and no signs of webs. I did notice what looked like some very small meelies but without the white wax like coating so it’s had a spray with Bug Spray Ultra but I have no idea about these small black dots... any clues?

Thanks.

[iann]

Spider droppings? Or some other insect? Can't really tell from the photos.

[Mark07]

Spider droppings? Or some other insect? Can't really tell from the photos.

Sorry Iann the pictures are from my phone and aren’t the best. I’ll see if I can get better images tomorrow. I was also thinking spider droppings as that’s what they look like. They’re not fixed to the plant either and move easily if I poke them. Apart from the few mentioned small mealiebug lookalikes I haven’t seen anything that resembles spiders yet though.

Thanks.
Mark.

[iann]

Spider droppings won't be loose. Caterpillar frass tends to be like tiny sheep droppings, loose black pellets.

[Chris L]

Did the black dots appear after spraying the white "mealies"?

The white "mealies" could be male mealy bugs or white fly.

If you did spray before the black dots appeared, then the black dots could be the dead insects going mouldy.

[Mark07]

Thanks for the replies all,

The black dots were there before I sprayed the small meelie look alikes. There are still some black dots but not as many I would say. Some of the more heavier black deposits look like they’ve damaged a bit of new growth, almost like a slight rot at the tips but it’s defeanetly helped a bit after spraying.
There are also still one or two very small mealy like bugs here and there but I just pick these off if and when I see them. I’ll see how it goes and will probably give it a second spray in a week or two. .