[ID]White Shell shapes bugs

[kcpoole]

Hi all
Does anyone have and idea as to what these things are on my Acacia Howittii?

I noticed heaps of Ants on the tree, and they looked like they were building a nest on the branch section and trunk
I blew them off with the hose and found these underneath

They are quite squishy, and when I pick them off and cut them in half they ooze out orange coloured goo!

What are they and treatment for them?

TIA
Ken

[Handy Mick]

Hi ken,
I have had these and I just squashed them and sprayed a pest oil.

Mick

[Webos]

look like scale to me

[Trent McKenzie]

I have seen these on my acacia also, some type of scale insect and i treated with white oil spray.

[Andrew R]

Yeah some kind of scale. Little buggers helped kill some potted colour (million bells) before moving onto my bonsai. Lady at local nursery recommended a good dose of white oil. Though I also got some satisfaction in squashing them

[kcpoole]

Okies then white oil treatment tomorrow.
I have never seen them before so noever had to treat anything else then curl grub.

Thanks
Ken

[Guy]

cottony cush?

[Guy]

cottony cush http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu › Homes, Gardens, Landscapes, and Turf

[Luke308]

cottony cush http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu › Homes, Gardens, Landscapes, and Turf

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7410.html

[kcpoole]

thanks Guy and luke. Looks like cushiony scale alright

Ken

[Gerard]

I call them mealy bugs. Yes they are a variety of scale.

[kcpoole]

Whatever they are, they got a dose of white oil this afternoon, so hope that keeps them away

We will see.

Ken

[squizzy]

Hi Ken,

If they are mealy bugs they might not be to worried by white oil. You could try confidor I think that is what I used too use in the nursery as one of the controls for mealy bug. Confidor is readily available and not too nasty.

I would do a test spray first just to see it doesnt have adverse effects on the tree.

Cheers

Squizz

[kcpoole]

I use confidor on my Azaleas and I think m0ost of my trees have a had a spray over the years .
If the white oil does not work, I will try it too.
thanks
Ken

[toohey]

Hi,
The giveaway that they are scale is the mollusc like shell appearance at the top of the insect. While young they move but as adults they just suck. Though males may sometimes develop wings to fly and fertilise (I have never seen that)
White oil is the best treatment so good luck with it. Make sure to spray under the leaves as well.
Regards,
Michael Toohey