Scale insects - fact sheet
Scale insects are typically small, averaging about 2-3 mm in length. They are mainly pests of indoor plants and of orchards. They feed by sucking sap from plant tissue, thus weakening the host plant by removing its food supply and other valuable nutrients. Scale insects (like mealybugs, to which they are related) produce large quantities of honeydew. The honeydew - besides being a problem in itself because it is a sticky substance - provides a food source for sooty moulds. Sooty moulds produce a black coating that reduces the photosynthetic capacity and the aesthetic appeal of the affected plant. Severe infestations of scale insects can result in defoliation and retardation of the plant’s growth, and even in the death of the plant.
The Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust
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