I noticed some white colored stuff on my hostas and thought it looked like mold or ? So I went to rub it off and they jumped! I don't think it can fly, but just jumps haphazardly. They are really tiny, about the size of an aphid. Bright white and furry looking. We have had lots of rain lately for days. I noticed these on my rhododendrons also. Does anyone know what they are and how can I get rid of them if necessary? I have a feeling they are bad, because they are everywhere! They are absolutely covering my hosta's flower buds. I tried to squash them but they are too fast and tiny and too many.

Is there any way you could get a photo of them?

I tried too but they are so tiny it just looked blurry. Plus they move fast.

With them being jumpers and with all of the rain you have had, it makes me wonder if they are white springtails. They are attracted to damp areas and invade in the thousands. The good news is, is if that is indeed what you have , they will disappear as soon as you get drier conditions.

Without a photo, I am not sure that I can be of much more help. I hope that someone else will pop in soon with other possibilities...

https://www.google.com/search?...

these? This looks similar to a termite to me, but the bugs I have are fuzzier. I can't even tell they are a bug unless they move, they just look like fuzzy mold.

I am glad you ask about those because I have them on my hosta also
You can't touch them because they jump.

ok went back out and looked some more. Seems that even after the bugs jump off of the plant, they leave behind a bright white furry mold looking stuff. So does this come off of the bugs or do they make it? or what? mystery.

Perhaps they are White Flies? They look much like a scale insect in the nymph stage.

https://www.google.co.uk/searc...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W...

As you describe white furry stuff, they sound more like mealy aphids. There are winged ones.

https://www.google.co.uk/searc...

I do not think they are whiteflies. I have them as well. On my hostas, on my knock out roses and on my day lilies. All in one area. they just look like they are fuzzy mold till you try to touch then they do jump! None of my plants look unhealthy yet but it can't be good for them. I am in North Carolina.

The white insects are juvenile planthoppers. While feeding on your plant, they excrete filaments of white wax in order to protect themselves from predators. There are several species in America: Anormenis chloris, Acanalonia spp, Metcalfa pruinosa, etc.

http://www.walterreeves.com/in...

JRsbugs said:

http://www.walterreeves.com/in...

I think that's it! Thank you! I will google that and see if I can find out more. It sounds like they are not harmful particularly to my plants.