Look up wax scale.

Russell, you've done a mighty fine job at describing the wax scale that Jean has identified! I suggest removing them rather than squishing. If you let us know the name of the plant and your general location, we can do a better job of coming up with the best solutions. Also, a good picture to allow us see the extent of the population would be helpful.

The eggs are inside the wax scale.....that's the pink stuff. That's why squishing might be a bad idea.

The usual control, oil sprays, for scale are not very effectiive against waxy scale since the oil does not form the barrier on them as it does on other scales. If not many the best control measure is hand picking with some suggestions that pyrethrin based materials can also be used although this very broad spectrum poison can also kill off the predators of this scale just as the much less desirable carbyrl will.

welcome to the down under ...

i tend to go to the systemic extreme ... on a VALUABLE plant ...

i would recommend just getting rid of a euonomys [WAG for sure] ... they are a plague on such [scale in general] ...... and not worth harming mother earth ...

when THINKING about chemicals.. you MUST start with a plant ID ... then a bug ID ... and then discuss ALL the remedies .. including removal of the plant ... i mean really .. is it worthwhile to spend $20 to 'save' a plant you can buy or replace for $10????

pic of plant and scale please ...

ken

ps: a month or so back we had a post from AU.. on some bush i never heard of.. that was being swallowed by scale.. anyone recall that plant.. piggley wiggley or something down under-ish??? lol ...

wiggley piggley..

lilli pillis..

whats the difference.. lol ....

see link.. perhaps that discussion will get you where you want to go ..

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

Thanks for all of your posts and advice, I think I'll keep picking them off by hand as there aren't that many and it can be somewhat therapeutic if you have the time and the weather's nice.

Keep in mind that there is some evidence that systemic insect poisons are harming the pollinators as much as the poison sprays are.