Unidentified objects on my trees.

[R6robbo]

Hi all, newbie here. I have these "things" all over my trees in the garden,
can any of you experts identify them please? Insect larvae maybe?
There are literally hundreds of thousands of them.

[Jason Green]

Evening Rob, and welcome to WAB!

They are Scale Insects - is it a Horse Chestnut tree or something? I forget the purpose of the white fluff underneath

Take care,

Jason

[R6robbo]

Thanks for the rapid reply, er....i,m not sure what kind of trees they are, i,ll take a pic tomorrow of a leaf and post it here if that helps?
Thanks again!
Right, off to google "scale insects"! lol.

[aeshna5]

Look like Pulvinaria scales.

[Monkey Orchid]

Aaarghh! Scale insects!! I've got these on my small Japanese Acer at the moment, I keep searching the tree over and squashing the ones I find. Ants are farming them so sometimes I can locate them by following the fussing ants.

It seems to be a prolific year for these... I hadn't seen them on shrubs in the garden for a few years, then suddenly they've cropped up again. Does anyone know if they have a tendency to spread viruses etc, in the same way that aphids can?

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, they are abundant this year. Pulvinaria regalis is nominally the horse chestnut scale but is most abundant on limes (Tillia spp) and maples, especially sycamore (Acer spp) but they are seen on many other tree genera.

The scales are the dead remnants of the mature females sitting atop its eggs/young which are protected by the 'cotton wool' - most predators have difficulty chewing through it. Quite likely the young have fled by now up to the tops of the trees.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Monkey Orchid

..... I hadn't seen them on shrubs in the garden for a few years, then suddenly they've cropped up again. Does anyone know if they have a tendency to spread viruses etc, in the same way that aphids can?

Such spread of viruses hasn't been noted to my knowledge: mainly, I would think, because they don't travel far - do not have winged stages - and therefore neither pick up nor transfer virus.

[artdemole]

Had it on my Acers, tried to hose it off.Just looked like squirty cream all over.Was back next day.Searching web only found treatment is to use soft soap.Squidge them or dab meths.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by artdemole

Had it on my Acers, tried to hose it off.Just looked like squirty cream all over.Was back next day.Searching web only found treatment is to use soft soap.Squidge them or dab meths.

.... or to collect up some pine ladybirds to put on there! Won't clear them this year but will reduce the numbers next. As I mentioned, they're dead or dying and will wash off when there's a downpour in the Autumn (or August ..... ).

[metalfish]

I've used soapy water and a cloth to wipe'm off, it worked a treat all gone and none came back. But they have to be within reach obviously unless you are Mr Tickle