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Photo#141329
Scale - Ceroplastes

Scale - Ceroplastes
Carlsbad, California, USA
August 28, 2007
I know its scale, but kind is it? It may sound sick but I squished some with my fingers, it left my fingers red. They first appeared on my california fushia and now they are my white rock rose. It's really weird looking. I know I could probably spray a horticulture oil on them, but I want to know what I am destroying before I spray.

Don't know which species
but I think this can at least be narrowed down to genus Ceroplastes.

COOL!
Cochineal is a traditional red dye of pre-Hispanic Mexico. I don't know what genus/species, and I doubt I'd want them on my roses... Oh what am I saying? I like bugs much better than roses. (Allergy!)
Anyway, COCCIDAE is the Scale Insect Family.