passionfruit little black pest (forum)

maxzoo starts with ...
Hi,
I have a few passionfruit vines and this little black bug is not being friendly to them.. does anyone know what it is?

Many thanks!
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Picture: 1

Time: 19th September 2014 9:08am

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Tuxie says...
Looks like scale. Does it lift off with your finger nail. I havent seen it on passionfruit before but thats what it looks like in your picture.

Time: 10th November 2014 11:05am

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About the Author Tuxie
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maxzoo says...
Hi Tuxie, thanks for your suggestion. I think it probably is a scale attack- as it fits the profile but I also could not find info on the passionfruit/scale connection so thought it must be something else.
Thankfully the new growth has pushed through and the sad post fruit vine looks good again and hopefully starts throwing out flowers soon. The little black pests seem to have diminished with little input from me- apart from pulling the odd leaf off here and there. But I am sure it will be back as I saw it last year as well. It could be a winter thing? Do scale bugs have a temperature preference?

Time: 10th November 2014 9:55pm

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Tuxie says...
Hi Maxzoo,

I've never had scale on my passionfruit vines in Far North Qld but found quite a bit of info that black scale does attack passionfruit. To the best of my knowledge black scale slows down with lots of light and increased temperature which would fit with your 'winter thing' theory. Good to hear your vine is on the mend and hope you enjoy some passionfruit soon.

Time: 11th November 2014 12:16pm

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About the Author Tuxie
Wongaling Beach
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