Camellias are tough, evergreen shrubs. If planted and cared for properly, they rarely develop serious disease problems, but they can be bothered by a few pests.
Problematic insects on camellias are tea scale, aphids, and spider mites. All three use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on the undersides of leaves.
Tea scale appears as a fuzzy whitish coating on the bottom of leaves and triggers yellow speckling on top.
Aphids cause leaves to curl and become distorted, and also cause sooty mold infestations.
Spider mites are typically worse during hot, dry conditions and cause leaves to look rusty or whitish along leaf veins.
To get rid of aphids or mites, try blasting your camellia with a garden hose a few times. Tea scale will require an approved horticultural oil spray.
- Camellia Pests and Diseases (PDF)
- Check Your Camellias for Tea Scale (PDF)
- Southern Red Mite, Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor)
- Tea Scale, Fiorinia theae (Green)