black spots that looks like eggs under the leaves

Hi everyone.

I got this problem with my black olive (bushida). It has some kind of black spots under its leaves that looks like eggs and when I try to scrape it, it will be removed easily. But there are so many of them. My tree looks very weak and sickly. Leaves looks dry as if it weren't watered. Has anyone encountered this kind of pest? Pls help.

Warren

If they are eggs, it won't, of course, be the eggs that are causing the problem, but what laid them.

How large are these "eggs?" Could they be some kind of scale? Scale couldceate the condition you describe.

At any rate, rubbing them off (use a Q-tip dipped in alcohol) is the way to go until you ID the culprit.

Picture?

If it is not scale (maybe aphids, mites, etc.) a good dosing with an insecticidal soap should do the trick. Afterwards a gentle wipedown with a soft (preferably disposale) towel should remove most of the carcases.

I got hit pretty hard by aphids this summer, the trees did not appear to be damaged and they came off fairly easy.

Jay

As with most other bonsai questions, problems and concerns, a photo (preferably with a macro zoom capability) could very well help solve the question.

Jay

There are many varieties of lace bug worldwide, which may leave black excrement spots on the underside of leaves. The leaves appear mottled and loose color and texture. Do an image search with Google to see if it looks similar. The lace bugs are small and may not be seen without a careful look.

I will post some pictures soon. Got some problems with the battery of my digital camera.

Just some additional info. The black spots are very small like a dot. Someone told me that it might be a black aphid. Could it be possible?

Warren

If you can't see legs or wings, no. Aphids are bigger than "dots."

Here are the pictures. Sorry this is the best I can get for a zoom. I hope I can have a remedy for this, my tree is getting worse everyday.

I tried saving the photo and zooming in on the leaves. I can't do it from my end.

Either with the naked eye or with a magnifying glass, can you see if these are actual insects or do they look like eggs?

Check with your local bonsai club or horticultural specialist. Here in the mid-western states of the US we have access to "Master gardeners", individuals trained by our University horticulturists to serve as volunteers for problems like these. You bring in a plant, or part of a plant, and they do the research to discover what you are dealing with. If they can't figure it out they pass it on up to the hoticulturists.

Other states and/or countries might have a similar program.

I was "Master Gardener" trained several years back, but have allowed the certification to lapse (its a time management thing.) This is the process I have used, please check with others in your area and/or for this specific tree to verify whether to use these methods or not. (These methods are the same as has been suggested by others, but if you have never tried them before, I would recommend the test area first.)

If egg-like, I would recommend trying a small area of the plant as a test area. Using cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol see how the block spots come off. Once done with this area, rinse the area (top of leaves and bottom) well with water to remove any residual alcohol. Then recheck the area over the next few days to see if the treatment causes any damage to the treated leaves. If all is OK after two or three days I would treat the whole plant.

If bug-like, you can do the same, or you can try a test area with insecticidal soap and then rinse.

Good Luck!

Jay

Hi,
Hope this helps.

Are there any visible appendages (legs, wings, mouthparts? Do they move? What happens when you squish one (either between fingers or against leaf)?

The leaves of the plant look healthy enough. Are these things actually causing any damage?

JimLewis wrote:Are there any visible appendages (legs, wings, mouthparts? Do they move? What happens when you squish one (either between fingers or against leaf)?

The leaves of the plant look healthy enough. Are these things actually causing any damage?

I don't see any legs, wings or any parts, just a round black something and doesn't move also. I notice that its lying on some kind of a slime and when I press it with my fingers a gooey liquid comes out. Leaves are not healthy, they look like half-dried (sort of wilted) and slowly turns yellow then brown and falls off even with constant watering (2x a day). Tree is at a stand still no new growth/leaves. I assume they are sucking all the nutrients on the leaves.

Warren

While this does NOT appear to be a "pest emergency", I would begin removing them as quickly as possible. Make sure you wash up any non-disposable materials you use as well as your hands so as not to "infect" any other trees.

Quaranteeing this tree away from the others wouldn't hurt either.

I would still go forward with the test process to make sure you don't cause more hare than the spots.

Jay

Jay,

Sorry we don't have that kind of program here. Our nursery gardeners/caretakers are just plain gardeners who only know the name of the plants, how they should be taken care of and watering the plants. I will try your suggestion with the rubbing alcohol and insecticidal soap. Thank you.

Jeremy,

Thanks for the edit, its clearer now.

Warren

Again, look to local bonsai clubs. Do you have professional landscapers or a university horticultural program?

Run you tests on small sections of a branch you can afford to sacrifice if the tree decides to take the process negatively, and again, rinse well after you are done.

Jay

Are these spots that are "attached to the leaf" or incorporated into the leaf? Are you able to scratch them off or when the leaf is dissected is the dark coloration incorporated into the leaf tissue?

Randi
Virginia zone 7b