Arthropod Pests of Camellia

CAUTION: This information was developed for North Carolina and may not apply to other areas.

Tea Scale - Yellow splotches on upper leaf surface - Cottony masses of oblong and "keel-like" white male and brown female scales on leaf underside - Infestation spreads slowly - Overwinters as eggs beneath scale - Crawlers appear March-May *Hand pick leaves, if practical *Hort oil or insecticidal soap on underside of leaf during crawler stage *2-3 applications, 7-10 days apart may be needed *Mississippi study showed control with dinotefuran
Peony Scale - Uncommon, armored grayish-brown scale 2.5mm, long oystershell-like - Somewhat burrows below bark - Stems may die back - One generation; crawlers present in May * Horticultural oil during crawler stages with follow up at 14 days
Camellia Scale - Uncommon outdoors; more in greenhouses - Resembles an oyster more than does tea scale - Only occurs on leaves, mostly underside - Female dark brown; May be straight or curved - May occur with tea scale * Horticultural oil at crawler stage
Coconut Scale - Yellow line splotches on upper leaf surface - Found on upper and lower leaf surfaces - Round, semi-transparent to brown in color - Males more oval in shape - 32-35 day life cycle - Not common in NC * Horticultural oil to underside of leaves repeat treatment 14 days later
Cottony Camellia Scale - Large, yellow to brown, with elongate cottony masses - More frequent around leaf edges - Crawlers in late spring to early summer - May produce honeydew to support sooty mold *Remove by hand in low numbers *Hort oil directed at crawler stage
Indian Wax Scale - White, waxy, cap-shaped cover - Circular to oval with reddish insect inside - Found on stems - Leaves may yellow and drop early - Crawlers hatch spring - Overwinter as eggs under scale cover * Horticultural oil during crawler stage repeat treatment 14 days later
Purple Tea Mite (Calacarus carinatus) - Generally not common, purple overwintering phase - Microscopic eriophyid mite, underside of leaf - Active during cool season. Late Feb-early Mar. in Piedmont NC - Leaf bronzing, edge curling, pointing down *Hort oil or miticide in fall or spring with ten day follow-up to undersides of leaves
Weevils - Generally not abundant - Chewed notches in leaf margins - Adults feed at night. Grubs live in soil. - Several possible species (blackvine, cranberry root, two-banded Japanese, fuller rose ). Seek identification. *Seek control measures after identification

Alternative Plants-

No plant is perfect. To reduce overall pest problems, try diversity.  Check what works best in your area. Some broadleaf evergreen possibilities are ligustrum, abelia, rhododendron, wax myrtle (Myrica), magnolia.
Al Cooke has assembled a list of evergreen screening plants for Chatham County.

Recommendations for the use of chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage and examine a current product label before applying any chemical.

For assistance, contact your county North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service agent.

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Published by North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. North Carolina State University at Raleigh, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.