Pest?

[Pierre]

Hi all,

I have noticed what looks like an infestation of some sort of very small black "scale" on one of my PJ fig, and very recently on a ficus carica. None of my many other figs have any.
I have brushed most of these off my PJ with a toothbrush, but some still left as you can see on picture. It definitely lost some vigor. The branch of the carica is dead now, can't be sure if it's the result of these "scale-ish" infestation though...
What are these?
Thanks,
Pierre

[Pierre]

Having issues uploading those pictures... Sorry

[Pierre]

Still trying..!?

[Pierre]

OK, for some reason, I can't upload these small files.
Anyway, it's like a dense very gritty/dry looking layer..
Cheers,
Pierre

[Ryceman3]

The pics need to be below 500KB in order to succesfully upload. I know you said the files are small - so if they are less than that I'm not sure what the issue is. I just uploaded a whole lot of photos on a different thread with no drama - maybe try again??! This is the kind of thing where a picture would definitely help!

[Pierre]

Thanks for that, I remembered less than 1mb..!

[melbrackstone]

I'd hit em with a jet spray from the hose to start with. I know you're trying to keep everything organic, so maybe neem oil will smother the ones that are left? Definitely looks like a sap sucking insect of some sort...

[Pierre]

Thanks Mel. I brushed the PJ with an organic pest control and a tooth brush, but even the tooth brush has difficulty to remove these, they "hang on" to the bark very well!

[Sno]

To me it kinda looks like a sooty mould .

[melbrackstone]

Isn't sooty mould just an indication you have some sort of scale insect??????

[melbrackstone]

Thanks Mel. I brushed the PJ with an organic pest control and a tooth brush, but even the tooth brush has difficulty to remove these, they "hang on" to the bark very well!

maybe you need to just cut off all the affected branches, dispose of them in sealed plastic bags, and grow them again? I know my F. carica often had a die back problem, and they honestly do seem to attract more pests than the normal fig trees...perhaps you'd do well to grow it in a large pot for the fruit and at least make it worth your while to put up with the problems....

They do produce very yummy figs when given some room to move

[Pierre]

It does come from your carica cutting....!

[melbrackstone]

Yes I know....which is why I think you might be best to grow it for the fruit.

[Pierre]

Yes, it is in a large pot away from my benches..
But yes, I agree it looks like sooty mold Sno, you are right. It's interesting as I don't or haven't had aphids or scale..? Will keep a close eye on the JP and use the brush again..
Cheers, Pierre