Scale on branches - Ask Extension
Cleint brought in a sample of twig that she feels has scale on it. Would like to know what to do about it.
Knowledgebase
Scale on branches #872440
Asked June 10, 2024, 2:24 PM EDT
Cleint brought in a sample of twig that she feels has scale on it. Would like to know what to do about it.
Oceana County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello
The pictures are blurry when magnified to see details. I see no scale insects on these branches. The bumps appear to be dormant, or perhaps dead buds.
Here are some pictures of scale insects to compare. You can see that they do not arrange themselves regularly along a branch, like buds do.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/introduction-scale-insects/
Knowing what kind of shrub it is would be helpful, too.
Scales can be gently pryed back off branches, barely leaving a mark; whereas buds would have to be broken away and will leave a scar.
http://www.michigannatureguy.com/blog/tag/terminal-bud/
The pictures are blurry when magnified to see details. I see no scale insects on these branches. The bumps appear to be dormant, or perhaps dead buds.
Here are some pictures of scale insects to compare. You can see that they do not arrange themselves regularly along a branch, like buds do.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/introduction-scale-insects/
Knowing what kind of shrub it is would be helpful, too.
Scales can be gently pryed back off branches, barely leaving a mark; whereas buds would have to be broken away and will leave a scar.
http://www.michigannatureguy.com/blog/tag/terminal-bud/
I talked with the client and this is a bittersweet plant and these twigs are part of the plant that is showing a yellowing declining of the leaves as well. The plant part that is declining is shorter and the leaves are underdeveloped. They have had mosaic in the garden area previously.
Hello
The client should send pictures of the whole plant with discolored leaves, a close clearly focused picture of a branch with 5 leaves attached or so, and the above pictures to MSU Plant Diagnostic lab. Be sure some leaves are turned over so the backs are visible.
Emailing the lab is a free service. There ID is <personal data hidden>
If the lab needs a sample for analysis they will let the client know. The website with all the sample submission info and fee schedule is https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/
There are not many significant pests of American bittersweet, a native plant. If the client has oriental bittersweet, this invasive plant should be removed.
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=279117&isprofile=1&adv=Celastrus%20scandens
The client mentioned scale earlier. Euonymus scale can live on American bittersweet. However, I do not see any in her pictures. Here is info on that pest. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/euonymus-scale/
The client should send pictures of the whole plant with discolored leaves, a close clearly focused picture of a branch with 5 leaves attached or so, and the above pictures to MSU Plant Diagnostic lab. Be sure some leaves are turned over so the backs are visible.
Emailing the lab is a free service. There ID is <personal data hidden>
If the lab needs a sample for analysis they will let the client know. The website with all the sample submission info and fee schedule is https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/
There are not many significant pests of American bittersweet, a native plant. If the client has oriental bittersweet, this invasive plant should be removed.
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=279117&isprofile=1&adv=Celastrus%20scandens
The client mentioned scale earlier. Euonymus scale can live on American bittersweet. However, I do not see any in her pictures. Here is info on that pest. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/euonymus-scale/
