Ok I know that I should post this in the "pest' forum and I will, but I figure that there are plenty of you who can help.
Anybody have any idea what is on my leaves? I think I know but want some confirmation. Will post 2nd photo as well.
Identification help
These photos were taken this morning and we had lots of rain the other day; rain does not budge this but a high pressure hose does.
Thanks in advance!
Do you think it's mealybugs? If so, bring out the big guns quick, because they'll invade every plant on the place in a very short time!
Ewwww, looks like Loogie maximus
Check this out and see if it may be the same critter :
http://www.optimara.com/doctoroptimara/diagnosis/leafmealybugs.html
I think crowellli is familiar with this pest :~) As I have before! I second his recommendation!
This message was edited Oct 12, 2006 3:14 PM
Nope, not mealy bugs, cottony cushiony scale! I see no reason in nature for their existance except to irritate gardeners!
Thanks.
I have been fighting this same problem and was wondering what it was. I thought some type of soft body scale but mealies was my second choice. I managed to get it under control by trimming off the really infected parts and then spraying pyrethyrn regularly (like every two weeks). Then I got busy with school (I'm a teacher) and quit spraying and I noticed they have returned--I've got to get out and spray!!! They are a nuisance . . . a real pain in the posterior . . . good for nothing but like you say to irritate gardeners. How are you treating yours?????
I used Bayer Tree and Shrub because it is the only thing that I know of that really gets them- the aggie site gives info on it. You only use it once a year. I used it earlier this summer when I noticed these suckers and realized they weren't going anywhere. They really cleared up and I thought it was the end of them. I am disappointed to see them back again. I will likely prune off the areas where I see them and hope that the weather turns cold enough to freeze them to death! I think they were worse this year because our winter last year was so unbelievaby warm. Besides irritating, they are just yucky! Thanks for your info on treating them, I will keep that in my mind for next year.
I have a friend that tried the Bayer 3 in 1. Is that basically the same as the Tree and Shrub stuff? I've been wanting to try it. I think he liked it and the nice part is that you don't have to use it as often as the stuff that you spray all over it. Plus Lowe's carries it and it's affordable. I've also been told that it's a good idea to switch back and forth and use different things. Helps with the effectiveness of the stuff--like the little critters eventually develop a tolerance or something.
April, not to doubt your diagnosis, but how did you decide it was cotton scale and not mealybugs? I think I'm finally getting a hand on my problem and am fairly positive mine is mealy bugs. Had several people here give me answers and took an infested cutting to two nursery and plant places. Would love to know how to be able to tell the difference in the two.
Crow
Crow- mealy bugs, although they can bunch up, are often seen separate from one another and move/walk when you touch them. You can see their legs- at least when I put my glasses on I can! LOL. Also you can see their bodies. W/ the scale it's more like somebody squeezed something out of tube- like toothpaste- they are irregular looking, not uniform in size or shape. Another of my subjective descriptions is that they look soft/squishy. I know that I am not giving you exact descriptions, but alot of it is just my own observations.
When you view this photo you can clearly see a single mealy bug- http://www.optimara.com/doctoroptimara/diagnosis/leafmealybugs.html
and if you look at this photo you can see what I mean about irregular size, not being able to identify a single insect, etc.- http://www.upenn.edu/paflora/plantclinic/cottonyscale.htm
There are other kinds of scale- lots more actually, but this one is one that is fairly common.
Crow I hope this helps. Let me know if I you have other questions and I will try to help.
April