Camellia white bits - Ask Extension
Hi - my camellia shrubs have several white bits raised on the leaves that look like bird poop. They are on the north side of the house. Is this someth...
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Camellia white bits #873172
Asked June 14, 2024, 7:59 PM EDT
Hi - my camellia shrubs have several white bits raised on the leaves that look like bird poop. They are on the north side of the house. Is this something I should be concerned about? Thank you! I appreciate your service- you all are great!
Linn County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Coral,
Those little white things are a pest called armored scale. They suck juices out of the leaves. Not nice guys.
Since you found them and there are only 2 on the one leaf, you should check the underside of other leaves. You can pick them off with a gloved hand and throw in the trash.
Since it is spring and your plants are growing you could use horticultural oil at 2% concentration very carefully. You can find it in garden stores. Please follow the directions. Too much and it will smother the leave's ability to breathe as well as kill of predator insects.
These pests are attacked by green lacewings, lady bugs, and parasitizing wasps. If you spray with oil, they will be affected as well. Other insecticides have little effect on armored scale.
You can pick them off and check the bush frequently. I am attaching a couple of publications to give you more information on these pests.
They also have pictures of what the pest damage looks like and one specific publication just on camelias.
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/armored-scale-identification-and-management-on-ornamental-plants
If you scroll down to the pictures and enlarge #6 you will see the same white scale as you have on your camellia.
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/camellia-scale-insect
If you have further questions, please contact us again.
Those little white things are a pest called armored scale. They suck juices out of the leaves. Not nice guys.
Since you found them and there are only 2 on the one leaf, you should check the underside of other leaves. You can pick them off with a gloved hand and throw in the trash.
Since it is spring and your plants are growing you could use horticultural oil at 2% concentration very carefully. You can find it in garden stores. Please follow the directions. Too much and it will smother the leave's ability to breathe as well as kill of predator insects.
These pests are attacked by green lacewings, lady bugs, and parasitizing wasps. If you spray with oil, they will be affected as well. Other insecticides have little effect on armored scale.
You can pick them off and check the bush frequently. I am attaching a couple of publications to give you more information on these pests.
They also have pictures of what the pest damage looks like and one specific publication just on camelias.
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/armored-scale-identification-and-management-on-ornamental-plants
If you scroll down to the pictures and enlarge #6 you will see the same white scale as you have on your camellia.
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/camellia-scale-insect
If you have further questions, please contact us again.
