What the heck are these?

[Roguejim]

My over wintered Butch T had a mild aphid infestation, so I got out the pyrethrin spray when I noticed what looked like specks of dirt on some of the leaves. Under a magnifying glass, the whitish specks looked more like the skeletal remains of some insect. They looked almost transparent, and did not move. These pics are the best I could do with my cell phone camera. The "skeletons" can be seen around the edge and top of the leaf.

 

[compmodder26]

I think they are exoskeletons of the aphids. Like other insects, when aphids get too big for their old exoskeletons, they shed them and grow a new one.

 

[millworkman]

^^^^ what he said.

 

[patrick]

Oooooo yuck! Bug exoskeletons are gross. Where there are sheds there are live bugs. These definitely be aphid sheds too. Blech!

 

[zantrax]

Kill them with fire. I found a good old oxy-acetylene torch is the most effective and safest way to kill them in my house. But aphids are a pain, seriously kill them quick before they kill your plants, and eventually you, as they grow to be 4-5ft in height. Pic Related: