AboutWalter Hintz Expertise I can answer any questions about insects and spiders
Experience I have taught science for over 50 years. I am presently teaching biology at the college level. I have done extensive graduate work in entomology.
Question QUESTION: I have what look like triangular leaf hoppers on my outdoor bonsai trees, they
have a double white fuzzy tail, almost like feathers. They have a humpy
triangular body shape. I have not seen any photos of this to identify the
insect. They hop off the plant when approached. I have a photo that I will
attempt to attach. I do not know if they are damaging to the trees, but they
are starting to swarm on my russian olive bonsai, and my bald cypress. I have
not sprayed, but will spray with soap to see if that helps. Thank you for any
help. IMAGE: fuzzy white hopper
ANSWER: Hi Judy
These do not look like leaf or treehoppers and I have not seen these before. I an consulting a colleague and I will let you know what I find out. They do not look like they and numerous to damage the tree
walter
Hi Judy; I have not been able to transfer the photo to the person I want to.
Send your photo and information to:
jkeiper@cmnh.org
Mention that you have communicated with me
walter hintz
Finally!THis is the cushiony cotton scale insect
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QUESTION: I appreciate the effort, but I don't see any of the photos that look like the
ones I have of this scale insect. I do not think scale insects can hop long
distances like the ones I have either. Can you try again please or direct me to
someone who can? These are starting to loose the white tail like fuzz, so I'm
wondering if it's a nymph stage of something. I believe they have 6 legs, and
the body is a tan color.
Answer Hi Judy; The identification of the cottony cushion scale was verified by Joe Keiper PhD Curator of Invertebrate Zoology and Director of Science at The Clevleland Museum of Natural History. He did state that this his best guess from these photos.If he cannot confirm it from the photos then nobody can. Perhaps if you could remove one from the tree and take another photo it might help.
You might also consult the Department of Agriculture from your state. They probably get a lot of inquires and plant pests
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