It's scale, an insect. And yes, if left alone it can become a serious problem.

Research terrapin scale. You will find articles describing life cycles, preferred plant hosts and methods of control.

Thank you

they give off honeydew.. which is why you see the ants are farming them for such ... the ants are how you usually find the scale ...

no need to do anything about the ants.. they will disappear if you ever get rid of the scale ...

timing of cures is VERY IMPORTANT ... and dont kill the ladybugs ...

ken

Tha is Ken. Do you have any recommendations of how to get rid of them? I’ve been researching and horticulture oil is what I’ve found. I was going to put it on today, I hope this is good timing idk

Have you done any reading yet? Timing is critical. As one extension service info sheet points out "It is nearly impossible to control the terrapin scale with insecticide treatments applied during the growing season because the scale covering is impervious to most materials. The best results are obtained when applications are timed to coincide with the active period of the crawlers or when dormant oil sprays are applied before bud break in the spring. Careful pruning can also help control light or scattered infestations of scale insects."

You don't say where you are located but I'd suggest you contact your local extension service office and ask them when and how to treat. Timing and treatment are going to be heavily location-dependent.

if this were any plant other than an edible plant.. i would tell yoou that the easiest and surest way to solve this issue would be a systemic product labeled for scale. ...

but you should NOT use that for a plant you will eat off of ...

ken

Thank you both for your help. I did read up on it and I got some horticulture oil today that I will apply. I will also do some pruning of the heavier infested limbs. I am located in Northern California. Thanks again and if you think of anything else to add I would greatly appreciate it.