Soft Scale Insect (likely Brown Soft Scale)
Scientific Name: Coccus hesperidum (or similar species in Coccidae)
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Coccidae
Size: Typically 2 to 5 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Found on stems, leaves, and fruit of various indoor houseplants, citrus trees, and ornamental shrubs. Often discovered on produce or fallen from house plants.
Diet & Feeding
Sap-sucking; they feed on plant phloem (sap) from leaves and stems.
Behavior Patterns
Adult females are immobile and attach themselves permanently to a plant surface, forming a protective, shell-like bump (as seen in the image). The greenish fragments at the edge are likely torn plant tissue from where the insect was attached.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Agricultural and garden pest that weakens plants and excretes honeydew, leading to sooty mold. Harmless to humans and animals (no biting or stinging).
Identified on: 2/5/2026