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Identify bugs on acer

worldtraveller09Fb5rHK1Yworldtraveller09Fb5rHK1Y Posts: 4
in Problem solving
I am desperate to identify and rid my beautiful acer of the destructive bugs featured in the attached photos. Last year they totally destroyed another acer in a matter of weeks and despite trying various bug sprays, nothing has worked.

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/cushion-scale
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • worldtraveller09Fb5rHK1Yworldtraveller09Fb5rHK1Y Posts: 4
    Many thanks wild edges  - I had seen a reference to the cushion scale in another post, but thought it looked too different to be the same. I haven't seen any black sooty mould or honeydew excrement on either of my acers.
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Easy enough to remove by hand...no point in using random sprays that probably won't have any effect. It's so important to first identify what the infestation is before reaching for any chemicals. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    An old toothbrush will get them off.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • AuntyRachAuntyRach Posts: 5,291
    edited June 2023
    I had a potted Acer badly infested last year and the (old) toothbrush or even gloved hand works ok. I sprayed the stem with a very weak solution of washing up liquid water then sprayed again all over with water to remove any residue and stickiness.

    I blamed that one on the fact the rain doesn’t get to it so the blighters could latch on, but not sure. They were on branches/trunk not leaves though. 
    My garden and I live in South Wales. 
  • worldtraveller09Fb5rHK1Yworldtraveller09Fb5rHK1Y Posts: 4
    Thank you everyone for your helpful thoughts and suggestions - the old toothbrush works fine!  I'll also apply the weak washing up water technique.

    However the infestation continues with a dozen more removed this morning. The GW feature on the cushion scale tells us that the bug does not usually affect the vigour of the plant: in the case of my acers that has not been the experience. In just a matter of days since I found my first bug the leaves are becoming pitted with small brown holes.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You will need to keep removing them until they're all gone. It isn't usually a one off thing with most pests.  :)
    I think you may need to look at how and where you're growing your Acer though. These things often happen due to other factors - poor airflow, crowding, stress due to drought etc. Is it in a crowded site for example?  If it's potted, it's easier as you can always move them  :)

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



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • worldtraveller09Fb5rHK1Yworldtraveller09Fb5rHK1Y Posts: 4
    Thanks for your comments Fairygirl!

    I check the Acer first thing every morning: found 2 yesterday and just one today; trouble is most are on the underside of leaves so tricky to find them.

    The Acer is in a pot and although not too close to other plants, since reading your comment I have moved it a little further away.
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