When you look closely and magnify, what do they look like?

Dan

It looks like a scale infestation. I couldn't tell what type of plant it is and it's hard to tell without seeing it close up. If you look at it and you see small individual tiny insects, then you have scales. There are numerous insecticides, including completely organic ones. Go to your local garden supply store and they can help you.

It does look a lot like one of the plant scales. Most often the solution here is a horticultural oil, probably on htis plant now a superior (or summer) oil rather then a dormant oil.

Here is a link that might be useful: Scale

That's from a spittlebug! They don't do any harm. You don't need to spray them with anything. You can read about them here

They look elongated but better resolution is needed to be sure. There's a bug in the upper left hand corner of the picture in the middle of the more sparse patch. It looks similar to a meadow spittlebug but that's not like any spittle I've seen. Eggs maybe? Try to get a macro or micro picture zoomed all the way in if you have the capability.

Not from spittle bugs.
I'd also like to see a closer closeup if at all possible.