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[ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 25th, 2012, 7:25 pm
by 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
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 25th, 2012, 7:59 pm
by Handy Mick
Hi ken,
I have had these and I just squashed them and sprayed a pest oil.
Mick
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 25th, 2012, 8:11 pm
by Webos
look like scale to me
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 25th, 2012, 8:22 pm
by Trent McKenzie
I have seen these on my acacia also, some type of scale insect and i treated with white oil spray.
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 25th, 2012, 9:03 pm
by 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
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 25th, 2012, 9:09 pm
by 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
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 25th, 2012, 11:14 pm
by Guy
cottony cush?
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 25th, 2012, 11:17 pm
by Guy
cottony cush
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu › Homes, Gardens, Landscapes, and Turf
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 26th, 2012, 6:15 am
by Luke308
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 26th, 2012, 12:01 pm
by kcpoole
thanks Guy and luke. Looks like cushiony scale alright
Ken
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 26th, 2012, 12:10 pm
by Gerard
I call them mealy bugs. Yes they are a variety of scale.
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 26th, 2012, 6:14 pm
by kcpoole
Whatever they are, they got a dose of white oil this afternoon, so hope that keeps them away
We will see.
Ken
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 26th, 2012, 6:41 pm
by 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
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 26th, 2012, 7:09 pm
by 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
Re: [ID]White Shell shapes bugs
Posted: March 26th, 2012, 7:15 pm
by 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