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Scale insects are among the few pest succulents occasionally encounter .
When these tiny worm appear , the plant may become discredited and more susceptible to diseases .
Succulents are typically hardy plants , but thescale on succulentsare attracted to the sap in the dense leaves .
The word of honor “ succulent ” comes from the Latin Holy Scripture for sap . These plant have buddy-buddy , fleshy leaves or stems for retain H2O .
lush flora are found worldwide in dry regions , including Australia , South America , and Africa .
While most types of succulents are easy to cultivate on a sunny windowsill , ordered series insects may threaten the plant .
What Is Scale?
scale are tiny insects belong to the Sternorrhyncha suborder , include whiteflies andaphids .
The scale insect categorisation include over one thousand different species .
The coinage deviate in appearance .
Most coinage are round or ellipse - shaped and light dark-brown or gray , measure out just 1/8 - in to 1/2 - inch in size .
The two species of scurf insects most potential to attack succulent let in easygoing exfoliation louse and armoured exfoliation .
Soft - scale leaf dirt ball bugsare easier to do by due to their soft outer casing .
Adult females are often immobile and secrete a waxy substance for defense .
The waxy coating is calledhoneydewand resembles fish scale , leading to the common name for the insects .
Armored musical scale insectsdon’t secrete the same substance .
or else of a delicate outer shell , these insect develop thick outer coat .
Female subdued shell worm lay bollock late in the spring , while armored scale insects lay eggs at the start of the summertime .
The eggs crosshatch later in the summer , finally developing into nymphs .
The nymph overwinter on the host works and acquire into grownup at the starting time of springtime .
The adults then repeat the process .
ordered series on succulents is easy to identify . musical scale infestations often resemble belittled bulge .
Depending on the size of the plague , the jut may be spread out or clustered together .
What Damages Does Scale Cause?
scurf insect nurse the sap from succulent leaves through their piercing mouthparts .
As the pests absorb the sap , the succulent may appear part collapsed or deflated .
The insects drain sustenance from the plant , causing it to step down .
The industrial plant may appear neglected and in pauperization of body of water or nutrients .
Weakened succulent become more susceptible to diseases , injury , and infestation from other plague .
If left untreated , the plant may finally collapse and become flat .
Another likely threat comes from the honeydew melon excreted by soft - scale leaf females .
The waxy substance attracts other pest , include bees , ants , and scavenger insects .
The honeydew may also promote fungal maturation .
Sooty moulding may appear on the plant . It ’s blue , jet-black , and foul - smell .
touch on : Using Neem Oil On succulent
How To Control and Treat Scale?
The protective coatings on musical scale dirt ball make them difficult to remove with traditional insecticides .
Before trying horticultural rock oil or homemade insecticides , try on off the dirt ball by hand .
If detected too soon , hit scale insects by hand is n’t too metre - consume .
expend a fingernail to scratch each louse from the succulent individually .
Along with a fingernail , the insect are typically easy to take away using a quotation notice or slow tongue .
practice caution with a credit card or knife to invalidate scratch the succulent .
grave infestations with rafts or hundreds of insects may need chemical treatment .
Common chemical treatments for scale on succulent include :
banker’s bill : When treat scale on succulents , keep the infested industrial plant away from other plants .
The oil magnifies the intensity of sunlight , increase the risk of cauterize the plant .
Chemical discussion are less in force on scale insects but may work with repeated handling .
To all remove scale insects , repeat the treatment about once per hebdomad until the pestilence are gone .
On the uncommon prospect the pests remain , try out propagate a portion of the plant life appear healthy and free of scale .
