Sick Looking Bush with Webbing

Question: Hello!
I just wanted to reach out to see if you possibly knew what could be causing this bush to be getting sick looking. Half of the bush looks completely normal and the other half is turning brown (but not dry crispy brown that plants get from hot temperatures). There is webbing that is covering the part of the bush that appears to be dying.  The webbing is different from spider webbing and has small granules that are yellowish in color in it. There also appears to be a residue on the leaves that are dying and falling off that is kind of a yellow color. I noticed some small black bugs on some of the leaves and there were many on me after rubbing up against the bush while taking pictures. I am not sure if they are related or just coincidental. I tried to get pictures of the webbing and the little black bugs. They are incredibly small so it is really hard to see them. They are no larger than a pin top on a needle. Thank you so much for your help!

responder: Best Regards,   Replied July 17, 2023, 12:45 PM EDT
response: Dear Michelle,  Thanks for contacting Ask Extension about your plant. Can you please tell me the following:What is the plant?When did you first notice the webbing and/or damage to the leaves?Have you used anything on the plant (oils, soaps, sprays, etc.)? Please name them.Are any other plants affected? With the additional information, I'll be happy to try to advise you.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 17, 2023, 1:53 PM EDT
response: Hello, Thank you for your response. Here are the answers to your questions:What is the plant?- I do not know exactly what it is called. It is a bush about 9 feet tall that has small red berries that grow on it. The leaves are smooth, not pokey like a holly. It also has sprouts that come out of its shallow roots, if that is at all helpful. I have seen other bushes like this  around the Salem area so I think they are somewhat common.When did you first notice the webbing and/or damage to the leaves?- we were gone for a long vacation, but when we returned I noticed the webbing, but no damaged leaves. That was on July 4th. It has just within the last week started turning brown and more of the bush now has webbing on it and in the original area of webbing the leaves are falling off. Have you used anything on the plant (oils, soaps, sprays, etc.)? Please name them- I have not used anything aside from just watering it. Are any other plants affected? Not that I have noticed. This particular bush is in a corner of our yard that is not very near any other plants.Sent from my iPhoneOn Jul 17, 2023, at 9:46 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Best Regards,   Replied July 17, 2023, 5:33 PM EDT
response: Dear Michelle,  Thank you for sending the additional information. A positive identification is very difficult from photos only, but I suspect your plant has a case of spider mites.   You can take a sample twig (sealed in a plastic ziploc bag) to the Marion County Extension Office, for closer inspection and they may be better able to confirm the ID of the pest. The Garden Help Desk is open from 9 am to 1 pm Mondays thru Fridays.  OSU Extension Service Marion County1320 Capitol St NE, Suite 110 Salem, OR 97301 The following links give a good description of the damage caused by spider mites.  https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7405.html https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/nursery/common  The recommended controls include: - Wash the mites off the plant using a strong stream of water from a garden hose. - Keep the plant well-irrigated throughout the summer. Use a long, slow drip that penetrates the soil several inches. (This will seem like a lot of water, but required by trees and shrubs.)  - Insecticidal soaps or oils can sometimes help, however, they only work if you spray the pests directly. This is difficult to do on a large plant especially because both sides of the leaves need to be sprayed. (Spraying the leaves without the presence of pests will not control or prevent further spider mite damage.)   I suggest you avoid using chemical sprays altogether since the drawbacks seem to outweigh the benefits. If washing the plant and irrigation does not seem to be helping, it would be worthwile to visit the Help Desk  I hope this information is useful. Write again any time you have questions.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 18, 2023, 8:40 AM EDT
response: Thank you very much for this information. It is really helpful!Sent from my iPhone On Jul 17, 2023, at 2:33 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿