Hollies, with their tremendous variation in growth habits, leaf size, shape, and color, and sometimes showy berries, are highly desirable landscape plants. Over 11 million hollies of 42 varieties are produced in Southern nurseries each year. Although numerous insects and mites have been collected from hollies, plants often withstand prolonged infestations without visible deleterious effects. Other than in a commercial nursery, the presence of a few insects or mites on a holly is no reason for great alarm. The native holly leafminer, Japanese wax scale, and southern red mites are the most frequently reported pests of hollies in the southeastern United States.

KEY TO COMMON AND IMPORTANT HOLLY PESTS

1. Japanese wax scale -White, waxy blobs up to 6 mm in diameter appear on limbs and twigs. They are often accompanied by sooty mold.

2. Native holly leafminer -Irregular, elongate, yellow or brown splotches on upper leaf surface (tunnels); small, chunky maggots in tunnel. (Adults rarely found.).

3. Southern red mite -Small chlorotic spots on leaf surface, heavily infested leaves becoming bronze in color; tiny, spiderlike animals (spider mites) on lower leaf surface usually in spring or fall.

4. Tea Scale- Cottony masses are evident on the lower leaf surface. Sooty mold may be present, and plant vigor may be impaired.

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