Question
On various potted shrubs in the garden there is a mass of white "stuff" which is sticky and seems to expand when disturbed.  Each mound has an insect looking thing which is very flat, brown and roundish, about the size of a lentil but doesn't move.  I cannot tell if it is a fungus or insect.  It tends to be at the base of the shrubs with an occassional mound further up the branches.  I have looked at the mealy bug description and the white stuff is denser and creamier in a way so it's not that.  What can it be and what do I do?

Answer
Susan,

I will do my best at answering this.  If you could upload an image, that would be most helpful.

There are many types of mealybugs, so be sure that you look at many pictures to rule them out.  Another insect that could be responsible is spittle bugs.  It doesn't sound quite like your description, but you may want to "google" to see some images and be sure.

Two fungi that are possibilities are Sclerotium spp. or Sclerotinia spp.  Sclerotium spp. cause diseases known a southern blight since it is favored by warm temperatures and usually found in warm areas.  Sclerotinia spp. cause sclerotinia blight and prefers cooler temps.  Both of these pathogens form resistant structures called sclerotia which might be mistaken for an insect.

You can look at some images on the internet and see if these are possibilities.  If you think that we've found the problem, you can reply and I will help you with management strategies.  If we've missed it, then please let me know and I will keep searching for answers.  If you can tell me exactly what type of shrubs are affected, that will help.