What does bark scale look like?
Bark scales are in a different scale insect family (Eriococcidae) than soft scales (Coccidae), and they look very similar to mealybugs. The CMBS infestations appear as white or gray, waxy crustations on stems, large twigs, and trunks, but rarely on foliage.
How do I get rid of crape myrtle bark scale?
Treatment. The best window for control is late April or early May as the crapemyrtles begin to really flush, and can be applied through July. Apply a soil drench of an imidacloprid product such as Ferti-Lome Tree & Shrub Systemic Insect Drench during this period.
What causes crepe myrtle bark scale?
The most likely culprit is a scale insect found in China, Japan, and Korea. Since the initial discovery in 2004 by a landscape company in Richardson, TX, the insect has blemished many crape myrtles in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It causes ex- tensive honeydew deposits and the growth of black sooty mold.
What causes bark scale?
It is called Crapemyrtle Bark Scale (CMBS), an exotic scale pest that was discovered in the U.S. only 10 years ago first in the Dallas area. The black is caused by a saprophytic fungus called black sooty mold that grows on the sugary exudate that is excreted from the scale insects.
What is black on crepe myrtle?
Sooty mold is the black, crusty material that encompasses the leaves during the growing season. Sucking insects, such as aphids and scales, are attracted to crape myrtles and will suck the leaves for plant juices. As they digest the plant nutrients, they excrete a very sugary substance that we call honeydew.
What is killing my crepe myrtle?
Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) are essentially trouble-free small trees. The most common problems include powdery mildew, Cercospora leaf spot, aphids, Japanese beetles, and sooty mold.
What causes Crepe Myrtles bark to turn black?
What Causes Black Sooty Mold? Black sooty mold is actually an airborne fungi spore that latches on to the sweet sticky honeydew secreted by leaf and bark feeding insects. On Crepe Myrtles and most other plants the culprit here is either sap sucking Aphids or Bark sucking Scale. Hence the name: Sooty Mold.
How do you treat crape myrtle fungus?
Spray the infected crepe myrtle trees with copper fungicide or lime sulfur fungicide. Start spraying when the leaf tip symptoms first show up, then repeat every ten days during wet weather.
What are the white spots on crepe myrtle?
Powdery Mildew: Powdery mildew is one of the most common problems of crape myrtle, and it is caused by the fungus Erysiphe lagerstroemiae. Patches of white to grayish powdery growth occur on the surfaces of leaves, flowers, and new shoots. Heavily infected flowers may fail to open.
How do you get rid of black fungus on Crepe Myrtles?
Spray your crepe myrtle according to label directions with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, neem oil, or Natria Multi-Insect Control. All of these are safe, natural products available at home and garden centers. Without the insects and their honeydew, sooty mold will gradually wash away.