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Pests on japanese holly

mclarke4_mclarke4_ Posts: 15
in Problem solving
Hi

I have a couple of japanese holly shrubs in the garden that have been infested with pests in the last week. They are very small black things that are just about visible to the eye.

Any help on what they are and how to get rid of them wpild be appreciated

Thanks

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Could be some kind of scale insect perhaps. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Are they actually doing any harm though?
    Ilex is pretty trouble free, although the foliage in your pic looks a bit chlorotic, so you may need to address that.
    Are they in pots, and have they had any fresh soil each year?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • mclarke4_mclarke4_ Posts: 15
    Hi they are pots for now, i have only had them for a few months and haven't changed the soil in that time. They appear to be harming the plant

    I am mostly concerned because i was going to plant them next to some box hedges i have in the garden and dont want it to spread
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited October 2020
    If you've only had them a few months, the soil will be fine. 
    You need an ID on the insect to see if it's harmful.  It's not anything I recognise. What makes you think it's harming the plant? 

    Perhaps @wild edges will look in and be able to help. He's very knowledgeable on insects of all types.
    Not all insects will 'spread' to other plants and be a problem either.  :)


    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Where are you @mclarke4_ ?  I ask as there are some mites which attack that shrub but I think those are only present in the US.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • mclarke4_mclarke4_ Posts: 15
    Hi i am based in south east london.

    I guess my main concern is that hte leaves have become very dull and mottled in appearance since the appearance of the pests whereas before they were very green
  • mclarke4_mclarke4_ Posts: 15
    Any ideas on the potential name of the pest appreciated because i am struggking to id it from googling 
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Is the black lump on the top leaf alive?  It's not clear enough to ID, I'm afraid.  And are there any more?  Have you examined under the leaves as well as on top?  Scale insects are possible, so look at the central veins and leaf stems underneath to rule them out.  It's a bit late in the year for aphids but they also affect Ilex crenata.

    As Fairygirl says, the mottled leaves look chlorotic.  If you can't find any identifiable insect pests, I'd guess the problem might be connected with the weather - too little or too much water?
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
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