It is currently Tue Apr 23, 2024 3:07 am

All times are UTC - 6 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Sat May 29, 2004 7:42 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2003 3:52 pm
Posts: 7
Location: Atlanta, GA
Ok, I still a little new to gardening in general so I'm clueless. I just inherited a new garden (new house) and with it a new problem that I have never experienced before. I have white spots (very small but thousands of them) covering the leaves and stems of two shrubs. The white dots leave a bright yellow stain on my fingers and left alone will eventually turn into pin head size black dots. The leaves of the plant become paper thin and fall off. It appears to be fairly aggressive as it has covered one plant in a couple of days. Help. What is it and how do I get rid of it? Thanks. Dana


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat May 29, 2004 7:49 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2003 3:52 pm
Posts: 7
Location: Atlanta, GA
Just managed to identify my problem as Euonymus Scale (it is on two Golden Euonymus shurbs). Any ideas on how to get rid of it?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: DITTO - HELP
PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 7:57 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2003 10:13 am
Posts: 8
Location: Garland
I noticed I have the same issue with my Euonymus. ANY HELP would be appreciated. The bushes are dropping leaves DAILY......

_________________
BigKen


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 8:10 am 
Offline
Moderator
Moderator

Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2003 1:52 pm
Posts: 2017
Location: Dallas,TEXAS
All I did was type "Euonymus Scale" in Yahoo and did a search. Very easy. Here's some info I found.

The euonymus scale, Unaspis euonymi, is an armored scale that can cause complete defoliation or even death of the evergreen Euonymus. This scale also attacks a number of other plants such as English ivy, hibiscus, holly, honeysuckle, lilac, and pachysandra. Individual scales are small and are often overlooked until serious damage has occurred. In general, plants growing close to buildings are more susceptible to damage because there is less air circulation and greater moisture stress in that situation.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Light infestations produce yellow or whitish spots on the upper surfaces of leaves. The scales are typically concentrated along the stems and lower leaf veins of the plant. In the case of heavy infestations, plants look water stressed, leaves develop yellow spots and fall off, and twigs and limbs may die. Plants may become bare by midsummer.

Scales are small (less than 1/8 inch long), and with close examination you can see the white, longitudinal ridges of the males and the dark oyster-shell shaped females. A scale cover will remain on the plant after the insect has matured or died. These covers are an identification sign, but they should be checked to see whether the scales are alive or dead. This can be determined by sliding your thumb over the scales. If alive, the crushed scales will be wet from body fluids. If dead, the scale cover will be hollow and fall off.

Life Cycle

Euonymus scales overwinter as fertilized, grayish-brown adult females that have oyster-shell shaped covers. Eggs are laid in early spring beneath the female's covering. Eggs hatch during a 2- to 3-week period and the pale yellow nymphs ("crawlers") move to other parts of the plant or are blown onto nearby plants. After a few days, the crawlers molt and lose their legs. At this time they become stationary and begin secreting their protective cover. The scales spend almost all of their life feeding on the same spot while being protected by their hard covering. When mature, winged adult males leave behind their covers and mate with the still-covered females.

1. Maintain plant vigor. Scales thrive on stressed plants so keep trees and shrubs well watered and fertilized.

2. Conserve natural enemies. Natural enemies can help control light infestations. Especially helpful are immature and adult lady beetles and small parasitic wasps. Lady beetles are easy to identify but evidence of the wasps is harder to find. Parasitic wasps leave small round exit holes in the scale cover of their host. These holes can be seen easily with a magnifying glass. Plants should be examined to see if natural enemies are already at work reducing scale numbers before considering the use of an insecticide.

3. Remove scales manually. If caught early, minor scale infestations may be scraped off with a fingernail or gently scrubbed off with a soft brush or toothbrush. By rubbing the scales off of the plant, their mouthparts are injured and they are unable to re-infest the plant.

4. Suffocate scales with oil sprays. Superior-type horticultural oil sprays can be used to kill scales by literally suffocating them. These sprays can be applied at any time during the year but check the label and follow instructions to avoid injuring plants. Ideally, an oil spray should be applied during the dormant season to kill overwintering scales. Repeated applications during the season may be necessary with heavy infestations and should be targeted when the crawlers are most active.

also:

http://www.ceris.purdue.edu/napis/a-facts/fsescale.html

http://www.aces.edu/department/ipm/Teascale.htm

http://www.agnr.umd.edu/USERS/HGIC/diag ... scale.html

_________________
Sandi
Texas Certified Nursery Professional
Texas Master Naturalist
Organic gardener
Tree-Hugger
Native Texan


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 6 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by eWeblife