Scales

Many houseplant scales are brown, hard-shelled insects that suck the sap from plants. A sap-like substance is usually found on leaves. Scales can be found on petioles (leaf stems), leaves and stems of various houseplants. Most scales are about the size of a pin head or slightly larger.

Insecticidal soaps and regular washings can help limit scale build-ups.

NOTE:

Scales are not found in uniform, even rows, especially on ferns. Rows of evenly spaced, brown "hard shelled bodies" are the spore casings.