This virus causes irregular, yellow, mottled or splotchy patterns of various sizes and shapes on the leaves. Some leaves may turn entirely yellow. Irregular white blotches will appear on infected flowers. Plant only virus-free plants obtained from a reputable garden center. In South Carolina, the most common insect pests of camellia are scales.
Scale insects feed on plants by piercing plant tissue and sucking sap.
Scales do not look like typical insects. They are small, immobile and have no visible legs. They vary in appearance depending on species and sex. Some look like small fish scales attached to the plant. As a result of their unusual appearance, populations can reach damaging levels before they are noticed.