Hi. I'm new to this forum and I really hate to make my first post a question, but its more than a little confusing and I couldn't see anywhere to post an 'hello'. I've compromised by saying hello here and now, right before asking my question.

Now to my question. I've just been out to look at my sons bramble and spotted some raised lumps on it. Clearly some sort of pest, but I can't recognise it, even after spending the last couple of hours on google. Can any of you tell me what it is? And maybe if it needs counter-acting, how to do so?

Thanks

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All that rooting around has finally paid off. They are scale insects, just in-case anyone else has never seen them before.

That's because it's not a forum; like me, you are coming into a newsgroup through a back door. If you were using newsgroup-reading software, you'd find the layout of threads a lot easier, and you would see that it's perfectly OK just to start a new thread and say 'hello'. Or not - it's entirely optional, and you will be equally welcome without a 'hello'.

I think you're right about scale insect. I'm amazed - I always considered bramble to be totally robust and pest free. I usually remove scale insect by hand on plants where it's proving a nuisance, but i wouldn't advise that in this case!

Thanks Kay for the advise.

I'm more than a little familiar with Usenet I just saw the Vbulletin and didn't look any deeper. Mind you the forum software makes it easier and quicker to log-in whilst I'm at work.

Thanks also for the confirmation of the Scale Insect. Time to get a 'Bug gun' on the way home from work I think

Phw! You've no idea how difficult it is explaining the difference to people who've never heard of usenet ;-)

Difficult to get rid of them using any form of contact insecticide because of the waxy scale coating. You really need a systemic. But if it's an edible (rather than ornamental) bramble, do you really want to use a systemic? And in any case, if it's in flower at the moment, you will also want to be careful about the bees. So you might want to think about how bad the infestation is, and whether it's something you could live with.

Mmm, you make a good point.

The insects are not on the main plant yet, what I may no is simply remove then for the time being, limit their spread and spray towards the end of the season, after harvest.

Thanks once again.

John

Most definitely one of the many species of Scale Insects. The males are free flying at first before landing, disposing of their wings, and creating their waxy little fortresses that allow them to suck the plant sap without being disturbed by their predators.

Given the thorny stems on which they've taken up residence I would be tempted to brush them off with a stiff bristled brush, making sure you have a pot etc. beneath to catch them in. They can also be killed off with Tar Oil Wash and Rape Seed Oil - both of which will smother them. Most insecticides aren't hugely effective once they've "scaled" over and will in any case kill off their main predators - Ladybirds and Lacewings.

Scale Insects are not amongst the of most voracious and plant-damaging of sap-suckers, but an infestation can and will spread if not dealt with.