Pests
Scale insects
Identify Scale insects: symptoms, possible causes, prevention, and practical actions for 4 affected plants. Sticky honeydew
Editorial diagnosis
Diagnosis overview
Scale insects are fixed sap-sucking insects on shoots, leaves, stems, or branches.
In gardens, Scale insects can occur on plants including Common Fig, Kiwi, Sour cherry, Chaenomeles. In the available profiles, it is linked mainly with Fruit, Ornamentals, Stone fruit.
The recorded risk level is medium. When honeydew and many scales are present, remove mechanically and improve plant vigour.
Inspect leaf undersides, shoot tips, and the soil around the plant at different times of day. Eggs, larvae, droppings, webbing, or slime trails are often more diagnostic than one damaged leaf.
A common mistake is to treat feeding damage without checking the animal, eggs, larvae, time of activity, and affected plant parts.
At a glance
Plants
4
Category
Fruit, Ornamentals, Stone fruit
Risk
medium
Typical signs
- Fixed scales
- Honeydew
- Sooty mould
- Weak growth
Possible confusion
- Similar feeding damage: Always check for insects, droppings, slime, mines, holes, or residues. The damage pattern alone is often not enough.
Immediate actions
- Inspect affected parts and remove where useful
- Stabilise the plant and reduce stress
- Keep monitoring the planting
Prevention
- Encourage vigorous plants
- Monitor regularly
- Support beneficials and diversity
- Adapt care to weather and site
Affected plants
Guides
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