What are these white things on my Mexican Petunia stems?

Lady's Island, SC(Zone 8b)

I have about 8 Mexican Petunias lining the south side of my house. When I was watering them the other day, I noticed the 1 in the middle had what I thought were tiny white bugs covering the lower portions of the stems and on a few lower leaves. None of the other Mexican Petunias had these white things. Thinking they were some pests, I hosed off as many as I could. Anyway, when researching something else the other day, I ran across a photo of these white things on the stem of a plant that looked very much like what was on mine. The photo I found said they were some butterfly eggs.

Can someone take a look at my pictures and see if they can tell what these white things might be? These photos were taken 2 days after I attempted to hose them off. Originally, you could barely even see the lower stem at all. The pictures aren't great, but were the best I could do.

Thumbnail by SavvyDaze Thumbnail by SavvyDaze Thumbnail by SavvyDaze
Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b)

The first picture does look like eggs, individual white spots grouped together.
The other 2 pics look more like a pest, sort of stringy stuff between the white dots. Like mealy bug or some 'wooly' something or other.

Opp, AL(Zone 8b)

Ruellia is a host plant for several butterfly caterpillars.
https://www.google.com/#q=ruellia+host+plant

Lady's Island, SC(Zone 8b)

Thanks for both of your replies. I think I will just leave the white things alone since the plant is not showing any symptoms of a bug infestation. The leaves are dark green with no spotting or any other damage and appears very healthy even after a week of these white things on the stems, which haven't moved since I first spotted them. The plants on either side of this one show no signs of the white things spreading from plant to plant. If the leaves start to yellow, show signs of mottling or speckling, then I will take some action. I can handle some chewed up leaves if it does turn out to be butterfly eggs.

Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom

Bird Poo LOL.
Amazing though !!!!
Best Regards.
WeeNel.

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