Not at all sure to do about the problem. Generally, I resort to a horticultural oil when I think I have insect problems. I do have a question, though. Why are you growing the Paw Paw triloba? In the northern states these seem to be used for fruit or for larval food for Zebra Swallowtails. I have grown them in Central Florida and they have produced neither.

What can I say? I am a wild man. The goal is to retire to TN, and then it will be a staple crop :). Mostly, I want to see if I CAN grow them, and so far, it has been a smashing success (except for this one). I even got a flower this year, although caterpillars got it.

It's a scale insect - perhaps fig wax scale. I'd just scrape off and destroy.

Here's some general info on wax scale from IFAS:

https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/scales/florida_wax_scale.htm

You are my hero - that is exactly what it looks like - thanks Carolb!

You got caterpillars? Were they Zebra Swallowtails? Normally they wrap themselves in the leaves during the day and come out and feed at night. I'm jealous. I have planted several different types of paw paws over the years and have never seen a caterpillar. The only ones I have left now are the trilobas, which are not native in this area and not used by the zebra swallowtails---at least not in my garden.

I had scale on it last year, but this is not the same, and scale was much harder to scrape off.

==>>

only in the sense of how hard to scrap off... otherwise.. might they not be last years dead mommas???

ken

OMG caterpillars yes, nothing good though. See my post

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6099721/help-tussock-moth-caterpillars

It was gross, and they were EVERYWHERE and eating EVERYTHING.

Ken, yes it is scale, but a different kind than I previously had. The earlier type was some sort of armored scale, and much harder to scrape. Horticultural oil did them in. This is definitely a different species.