There are other subtle differences between the two groups (Table 1). Prevention & Treatment: Hollies grown under stress are much more sensitive to root rot disease than are well-maintained, vigorous plants. There are two types of scales, soft or bark scales and hard or armored scales (Tables 1 and 2), which can be differ-entiated by their feeding habits. In South Carolina, the native holly leafminer (Phytomyza ilicicola) is the most common. These insects can secrete a waxy covering that protects them from the environmen… A second generation of eggs is laid, again in turfgrass, where the nymphs will feed. Scale – While light infestations of scale can usually be controlled by hand, scale control for heavier infestations generally requires the use of horticultural oil. Good cultural practices, such as proper fertilization, control of soil moisture, and providing good drainage (raised beds) will reduce the disease. Figure 11. A 2% solution of horticulture oil may be sprayed when temperatures are between 45 and 90 °F. They lay white cottony ovisacs (egg masses) on the. Scale: Many scale species are pests of holly, especially Chinese holly cultivars (I. cornuta). Holly tree pests such as scale, mites, and holly leaf miner are the most commonly seen affecting hollies. Mites are not insects, but are more closely related to spiders. Always select hollies that are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions. The Janka scale is used to determine the relative hardness of particular domestic or exotic wood species. Only the soft scale bugs produce this liquid, which tends to drip on leaves and objects below it. Photo Credit: ©2006 Buglady Consulting Black sooty mold was found on these magnolia leaves. The Soft Touch Holly shrub is a great all around shrub for your landscape design. As with all pesticides, read and follow all label instructions and precautions. Plant resistant varieties into nematode-free soils. The creamy colored 'bumps' on the stems of your holly tree are most likely Indian Wax Scale. This “spine spot” is often confused with the slits made by the holly leafminer. Often, the root system will continue to disintegrate until the plant dies. Female tea scale covers are brown and boat-shaped. Keep plants watered during periods of drought. Hatching occurs through much of the year rather than in discrete generations. 2  Armored scale secretes a hard shell over its body for protection from predators. All scales have piercing- ... (Figure 15), holly, privet, and pachysandra, causing yellow or white spotting on leaves. Southern red mite adults are reddish brown and less than 1/50-inch long. Common Soft Scales Wax scale – There are many species of wax scale that look similar (Figure 1). Practice cultural techniques to prevent or reduce the incidence of plant diseases, including pre-plant soil improvement, proper plant spacing, crop rotation, applying mulch, applying lime and fertilizer based on soil test results, and avoiding over-head irrigation and frequent watering of established plants. An oil spray should be applied before new growth begins to kill both over-wintering adults and eggs. Fungicide drenches are not generally recommended for landscape use since infected plants cannot be cured. Yellow spots appear on the leaves of American and English hollies in May. Spine Spot: Small, gray spots with purple halos are caused by the puncturing of the leaves by the spines of adjacent holly leaves. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. The number of eggs per female range from 100-1000 and these hatch in 1 - 3 weeks. Crawlers settle on undersides of leaves and begin to feed on leaves during June. Nematodes: Root-knot (Meloidogyne), ring (Criconemoides), stunt (Tylenchorhynchus), sting (Belonolaimus), and spiral (Helicotylenchus) nematodes are seldom seen due to their microscopic size. They range from 1/8 to 1/2 inch in diameter and may be nearly flat to almost spherical in shape. In contrast, the waxy secretion of soft scale is an integral, inseparable portion of the body. Some soft scales may also have a hard covering present, but it will be smooth or with ridges, but no overlapping layers. Yaupon holly (I. vomitoria) and American holly (I. opaca) are moderately resistant, while Japanese hollies (I. crenata) are very susceptible to black root rot. Pest description and damage Brown soft scale are yellowish to dark brown insects (adults are usually darker). Symptoms include yellow spots on the upper surface of infested leaves on camellia. The soft scales are commonly identified scales on ornamental plants and can be quite variable. Cottony taxus scale on yew. BIOLOGY OF THE SOFT BROWN SCALE , COCCU S HE SP ERIDU.-i . OF SOF'r d C \ L.E S . HOLLY . 2 Drench = Add to water and pour around base of plant. This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Additionally, there are less toxic spray fungicides that contain sulfur or copper soap, and biological control sprays for plant diseases that contain Bacillus subtilis. There are two generations of two-lined spittlebugs in South Carolina, and this insect over-winters as eggs (generally laid in turfgrass). However, it is very important to always read and follow the label directions on each product. Insecticides labeled for homeowner use against scale crawlers include acephate, malathion, cyfluthrin, lambda- cyhalothrin, permethrin, and bifenthrin. ), or botanical oils can help control many small insect pests and mites that affect garden and landscape plants. Flip an adult scale over, and if there is a separate soft body beneath the hard shell, it is an armored scale. Heavy infestations in the spring may cause the leaves to turn light green. The eggs hatch in late-March or April and the nymphs suck leaf sap from turfgrass. The drainage of existing areas can be improved by using raised beds. In years of heavy rainfall, berries as well as leaves are spotted. Look for lady beetles and other beneficial insect populations associated with scale infestation. Woods with a higher rating are harder than woods with a lower rating. The adult female inserts eggs into young leaves through puncture wounds made by her ovipositor. Remove infected plants and replace with other shrubs or resistant holly species, such as Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta). Check for mites by looking at the undersurface of leaves in early spring or by shaking a branch over white paper. The scale used in the table is pounds-force. This leaf scorching is caused by the presence of water or ice on the leaves at the time the sun is shining brightly. by . Scale … Leafminer damage on American holly (Ilex opaca).Daniel Herms, The Ohio State University, www.forestryimages.org. Adults are relatively protected from insecticides by their waxy covering. Leafminers are the larvae (immature forms) of small (about ⅛-inch in length) black and gray flies. Drought Damage: Holly leaves often turn yellow or brown during a sudden drought period. Scales are unusual insects in appearance. High soil moisture and low soil temperatures favor development of black root rot. The most common in our area is Indian Wax scale that infests plants such as holly, barberry, cherry laurel, boxwood and many others (Figure 2). We have reports that some eggs have been found in Howard County. Scale insects are small, inconspicuous insects that use hair-like mouthparts to extract plant sap from leaves or branches. The symptoms of this disease and black root rot are similar. Photo Credit: ©2005 Buglady Consulting Florida wax scale is found along the leaf veins of holly. Males are soft and white with a ridge down the back. Crawler activity often coincides with the flush of new plant growth in the spring. It is also known as cottony taxus scale. Do not apply horticultural oil sprays when the temperature is above 90 °F or to drought-stressed plants. Promptly dispose of prunings. Honeydew, the sticky, sweet secretion that soft scales exude, is a favorite food of some species of ants. Tea scale – Tea scale is most common on the underside of camellia and holly leaves. Plant decline is often the only symptom, followed by gradual stunting, chlorosis, and leaf drop. They are small and immobile, with no visible legs. They injure plants by direct feeding or wounding tissue, making an entrance for other disease organisms. Symptoms of feeding include light yellow speckling on leaves. Scale insects (armored scales, soft scales) All types of woody ornamentals and trees. It produces long, narrow and unavoidably obvious ovisacs on … The paths they follow turn yellowish brown and typically broaden into a blotch. Wait 24 to 36 hours to make sure the … The shell also makes it difficult to use a pesticide because it has trouble reaching the insect inside. On extensively infested hosts, there is a general decline in plant health, with limb or branch death, and possibly plant death. Prevention & Treatment: Presently there are no effective chemicals registered for control of nematodes in existing landscape plants. If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988. Most parasitic nematodes feed by a stylet, sucking juices from plant cells. More than one spray may be required. Insecticidal soap sprays can provide control when applied before population numbers get too high. Phytophthora Root Rot: The water mold fungus, Phytophthora cinnamomi, causes root rot on hollies growing in very poorly drained sites or wet areas. See Table 1 for examples of products containing these active ingredients. Cottony camellia scale is a soft scale that feeds on camellia, holly, yew, euonymus, sweetbox, and maple. Holly pit scale (Asterolecanium puteanum) is a pest on American, ‘Burford’, Japanese, and Yaupon hollies. For example, sprays with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, neem oil extract, spinosad, Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t. Chinese holly cultivar ‘Burford’ and Yaupon holly cultivar ‘Nana’ are tolerant to root-knot, stunt, and ring nematodes. With severe infestations, webs may cover both leaf surfaces and branch tips. These hollies are a no maintenance shrub with a nice soft foliage unlike other hollies. Fungicides, Insecticides & Miticides to Control Diseases & Pests of Hollies. Soft Touch Hollies give off a nice dark green color with light green new growth. The Janka test measures the amount of force required to embed a 0.444" steel ball into the wood to half of its diameter. Some, such as ... Cottony Scale The bane of many holly growers, cottony camellia scale, Pulvinaria floccifera, is also called cottony taxus scale. Tea scale likes the undersides of camellia and holly leaves. An insecticidal spray containing one of the following active ingredients will reduce damage by adult spittlebugs: acephate, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, or permethrin. COVID-19 Extension Updates and Resources ... More Information », Factsheet | HGIC 2055 | Updated: Jan 13, 2020 | Print | Download (PDF), Damaged Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) roots infected with black root rot.Division of Plant Industry Archive, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, www.forestryimages.org. Remove infected plant material and surrounding soil. Apply all chemicals according to directions on the label. See Table 1 for examples of products containing these active ingredients. Spray with horticultural oil in the spring after the plants have begun growing and the danger of cold weather has passed. ON . Photo Credit: ©2002 Buglady Consulting The following pesticides are labeled for use by homeowners against southern red mite: horticultural oil, bifenthrin, and acephate. Prevention & Treatment: The fungus has the ability to persist in the soil for many years, even in the absence of susceptible plants. Later, one or more limbs may wilt and die back to the main trunk, and a brown to black streak of dead tissue may extend from one area of rotted roots to the damaged limb. Soft Scales (Coccidae) Over 60 species of soft scales occur in Florida. If infestations are heavy and sooty mold is objectionable, spray horticultural oil in the dormant season. of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson UniversityClyde S. Gorsuch, PhD, Emeritus Faculty, Entomology, Clemson University, Joey Williamson, PhD, HGIC Horticulture Extension Agent, Clemson University. This fungus primarily affects the root system and reduces plant vigor. The larvae then tunnel through the leaf between the upper and lower surfaces. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. ‘Savannah’, ‘East Palatka’, and ‘Foster’ hollies may be significantly damaged by adult spittlebug feeding in the late summer and early fall. Japanese hollies, particularly ‘Helleri’, are not very tolerant to low soil moisture, particularly for the first several years after planting. Scale insects generally look more like tiny growths on the foliage rather than actual bugs. However, some scale species may have overlapping generations with an extended crawler emergence period, such as along the coast. There can be up to five generations per year. Indian wax scale is a type of soft scale. The nymph (immature stage) is white or yellowish and without wings. Check other nearby woody plants for infestations. The presence of many punctures can result in deformed leaves. They are almost inactive during the heat of midsummer. Control: Naturally occurring predators of mites include various predatory mites, ladybird beetles, and other insects. Dinotefuran may move into shrubs more quickly than imidacloprid for faster pest control. Aboveground symptoms may include stunting of terminal growth, shortening of internodes, and interveinal chlorosis. The adult is about a ⅓-inch long and brown with two orangish-red stripes on the wings. Its leaves are very small and slow growing with a soft texture. These products are either granules or liquids that are applied around the base of the hollies. 1) Azalea bark scale, Eriococcus azalea A scale infestation is indicated by sooty mold on leaves, yellowing of leaves, and twig dieback. Fungicides containing mefenoxam can be applied in the home landscape, but will not cure an infected plant. Monitor the crawler emergence with sticky cards, double-faced tape wrapped around a branch, or by putting an infested shoot or leaf into a baggie and watching for crawler movement. Greedy scale (Hemiberlesia rapax) is an armored scale that has been reported on ‘East Palatka’ holly. Florida wax scale (Ceroplastes floridensis) on Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta).United States National Collection of Scale Insects Photographs Archive, USDA Agricultural Research Service, www.forestryimages.org. Avoid the use of spray pesticides (both insecticides and fungicides), as well as soil-applied, systemic insecticides unless absolutely necessary. Black Root Rot: Black root rot is caused by the fungus Thielaviopsis basicola. Good spray coverage of the lower leaf surfaces is important, as most mites will feed there. Japanese hollies (I. cenata) are very intolerant of poorly drained soils and are especially prone to root rot. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. Parasitic wasps and birds are natural predators of these pests. The larvae are about 1/16-inch long. Its cottony egg sac and profuse honeydew production make cottony cushion scale easy to spot in the landscape. Neem oil extract or botanical oil sprays may also reduce plant damage by repelling many insect pests. Some soft scales may bear their young alive. This fungus primarily affects the root system and reduces plant vigor. Winter Damage: Symptoms of winter damage may be browning of leaves, marginal leaf scorch, defoliation, twig and limb death, and death of entire plants. Control: In late summer or early fall when damage occurs, apply an insecticidal spray to control the adult feeding. 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