Thanks for your quick response!
Further research led me to believe it's Plant Hoppers ... the white cottony part being the young nymphs and the larger pale green blobs in the photo being more mature adults. Planthoppers are not considered harmful pests that require treatment.
I found it was easily & completely removed from the plant with one blast from my garden hose.
But it could be a cottony scale insect or a borer. So I will monitor the situation and perhaps spray with insecticide soap, hort oil, or your suggested insecticide should it seem necessary. Thanks again.
