Scale Insects Afflict Salvia Azurea

One might assume that a mint might actually be fairly free of the many vermin that roam Planet Earth. But of course some vermin or other is liable to infest even a mint. Which is precisely what is going on here. The scales are those little black and tan things.

Oh! I almost forgot. These particular vermin or scales can walk. They have stubby little legs that allow them to go along a short distance, or even turn themselves around. Course they don’t set any speed records for progress. Their legs are too stubby for speed.

Those ants like to lick the little vermin scales. I reckon the scales produce honey dew during the ambulatory part of their life style or way of life. But once they weary of ants always licking their nasty woozles, they produce a white fuzz in which they totally secret themselves.

Naturally, I have no idea what species these vermin are, and little hope of ever finding out. Apparently there are jillions of different ones. As for those ants, they are lucky not to be headed to Ant Lion City. Baby please don’t go!