Scale Insect (possibly Brown Soft Scale)
Scientific Name: Coccidae (e.g., Coccus hesperidum for Brown Soft Scale)
Order & Family: Hemiptera, Coccidae (soft scales)
Size: (Adult female) 2-5 mm in length, often flat or slightly domed, oval-shaped.
Natural Habitat
Typically found on a wide variety of indoor and outdoor plants, adhering to stems, leaves, and sometimes fruit. They often prefer protected areas like leaf axils or undersides of leaves.
Diet & Feeding
Plant sap. Scale insects are piercing-sucking insects that insert their mouthparts into plant tissue to feed on sap.
Behavior Patterns
Adult females are typically immobile, attaching themselves to the plant surface. They are covered by a waxy, protective shell or coat. Males (when present) are usually winged and very small. They reproduce prolifically, and young crawlers are mobile before settling in a permanent feeding spot.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Considered a significant plant pest. Heavy infestations can lead to stunted growth, yellowing leaves, defoliation, and even plant death. They excrete sticky 'honeydew', which can promote the growth of sooty mold, further impeding photosynthesis. Benefits: Provide a food source for some natural predators (e.g., ladybugs, parasitic wasps) which are used in biological control programs.
Identified on: 9/8/2025