White Spots On Hydrangea

Question

I have lots of white spots on my hydrangea that are primarily on the stems but also some on the leaves, it doesn’t look like eggs , I would like to know if it’s harmful or can be treated please

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Answer 1

Possibly mealy bugs (a cousin of scale) or cottony scale. You can prune off heavily infested twigs and branches, if practical. Biological controls for scale: predatory lady beetles, lacewings, parasitic wasps. If ants are abundant, selectively control them as ants want the honeydew and may protect the scale insects from predators. You can spray horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps. More info: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7408.html