China Girl Holly: Cottony Camellia Scale and Sooty Mold

China Girl hollies have white, rice-grain-like insects on leaf undersides; some leaves turned black. Not leaf miners (no trails).

Pest Identification

The insects are cottony camellia scale. They suck sap and excrete honeydew, on which sooty mold (black fungus) grows.

Treatment

• Horticultural oil (neem oil or similar) suffocates scales. Coat thoroughly, especially undersides.
• Repeat every 7–10 days until scales are gone.
• Sooty mold will weather off once scales are controlled; a strong hose spray speeds cleanup.

Regular monitoring prevents re-infestation.