Bees and wasps often visit magnolia or tuliptree scales during late summer early fall to feed on the honeydew. The presence of lots of bees and wasps around magnolia or tuliptrees may indicate an infestation close-by.
The ragged hole in one of the scales on the left has been tore open and killed by a beneficial insect, probably a lady beetle.
Cluster of magnolia scale.
Sooty mold growing on honeydew that had landed on trunk and branches.
A drop of honeydew dropping from a swollen female magnolia scale. All photos were taken by: Brian Kunkel, Ornamentals IPM Specialist, University of Delaware.