Question From: T. F. - Johns Island, South Carolina, United States
Q: There was a similar question regarding ivy that was spraying sap everywhere... Mine, too. I've noticed a white cocoon that are empty, they've gotten out, on a few leaves, and small (about 1/3 the head of a pin sized) but not many on a few leaves. The sap is mostly on the brick wall, but curiously, too, the sap has exuded out onto the leaves, mostly on the lower third of the plant. I thought it was from over-watering, which I did because it faces West and gets pretty hot in the terrace, over 95F, some afternoons. Individual leaves appear to lose water first, dessicated but still green; the veins stand out, then after about 7-10 days, wilt (lose their turgor), and then dry up along with the entire branch. The vine seems stressed by the summer heat, for sure, but what's the insect and how can I get rid of it? Pic14 - The sap on the wall Pic15 - Browning leaf Pic16 - The white egg sac on a leaf.
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A: Sap is given off by aphids, some types of scale and white flies. All are sucking insects. You probably have them all. Spraying the ivy with a very stiff stream of water every 3 days for a couple of weeks should take care of the aphids and white flies. Scale - bumps on the stems, need to be sprayed in spring. Neem oil will also work for aphids and white flies. Be sure to follow up every 3 to 4 days for a couple of weeks and do get under the leaves. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
