White Cottony Growth on Shrub: Giant Whitefly Wax, Not Fungus—Oil Sprays and Nursery Advice

Cottony whitefly wax on leaves

Identification

White "cotton candy" strands + spirals + tiny flying insects = giant whitefly (Aleurodicus dugesii). Wax filaments are their protective coating.

Shaking plant releases "plant dandruff" clouds of adults. Difficult but manageable.

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