Help ID what's killing my Rose of Sharon

[Captngeetch]

Any help is much appreciated. There are what looks like 1/4" long white, ridged, soft growths on the leaves and branches..those that have many on them are dead. I have had this ROS for many years and this is the first Ive seen these growths..they seem lik they are coccoons as they are open on one end. sorry for the bad pic, I can take a better one in the morning if needed:

[img]https://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n11/Captngeetch/ROS.jpg[/img]

[bullthistle]

Never was any good on pest identificiation but you must have a host close by, but it looks as if it is an aphid or white fly and I believe water and soap may be the best way to rid of the pests but I'll allow others to chime in.

[Captngeetch]

Appreciate the response. Here's better pics, these show it much better:


[img]https://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n11/Captngeetch/DSCF1317.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n11/Captngeetch/DSCF1316.jpg[/img]

[Hortman]

Hey Captngeetch. It looks like you have a major colony of mealybugs there. Large
populations can cause premature leaf and fruit drop, and twig dieback. Honeydew
and black sooty mold are the damages caused. And there are the ants that “farmâ€

[Captngeetch]

[quote="Hortman"]Hey Captngeetch. It looks like you have a major colony of mealybugs there. Large
populations can cause premature leaf and fruit drop, and twig dieback. Honeydew
and black sooty mold are the damages caused. And there are the ants that “farmâ€