Please tell me these are dwarf ladybugs?

Question: Hello, I found these on a plant I purchased I was curious if you could help me identify.

responder: Best Regards,   Replied April 05, 2023, 12:26 PM EDT
response: Dear Jeremy,  Thanks for contacting us about the insects on your plant. I'll be happy to try to identify them for you. What kind of plant is this? Can you please send a photo of the whole plant or branch with the insects?

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 05, 2023, 12:56 PM EDT
response: Hello,Thanks for responding. I am grateful. Schefflera arboricola is what it is supposed to be, but I’m not formally educated, my chances of mistakes are higher than yours. If I have mislabeled my plant, please let me know. I purchased this from Terra Gardens in Salem a few months back. I have agoraphobia. And I only leave my house with a caregiver about 1 time a week. My current life goal is to make it to my back porch to have outside plants as well. Due to my social disability, I have over 30 varieties of plants that I keep indoors. It takes a lot of work and constant monitoring. I love a challenge, so I grow outside plants, inside my house, in tiny pots. I also grow inside plants; but that’s not as fun to brag about. Everyone’s aunt Judy can do that. But who can grow Maples and Oaks inside? Me, that’s who. However, because it’s stressful on plants, I get to see a variety of issues, and the learning experience is amazing. And this critter is one I have not come across. It simply looked like a small bubble. Not even expected to be an egg or anything of the like. Just a weird zit/pimple look. I can’t find any photos of the bubble before. And I apologize for the bad data collection. The plant has been through a heavy bending process for testing new bending practices. So very very stressed. I treated the plant with a few different products containing with key ingredients-Pyrethrins Canola oilBurkhilderia spp. A396Spinosyn ASoinosyn D We also cleaned all the branches with isopropyl.The combined treatment has seemed to eradicate them…. For now. My assumption is that these are scale, however I have never experienced scale before. And from reading online, it appears to be one of the most overlooked pest on house plants. Do you concur that these are scale? I have attached pictures. It was first noticed on the smaller of the 2 plants which is a clone from the larger. The small pot is made of copper.Thanks,Jeremy Kelley On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 9:26 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Best Regards,   Replied April 05, 2023, 4:29 PM EDT
response: Hi Jeremy,  Thank you for your very pleasant and informative response. Houseplants are not my strongest suit, but I believe you do have a Schefflera. From the description in this article, it seems like you may have the dwarf version of Schefflera arboricola or perhaps  S. actinophylla. https://www.thespruce.com/grow-schefflera-plants-inside-1902771  It is very difficult to diagnose pest problems from photos, however, I suspect you are actually dealing with two different pests, both of which are mentioned in the above article. The yellow insects in the first photo you sent look like aphids. But if you are seeing tiny bumps that do not seem to move, that would very likely be scale insects. It would be highly unusual to see the scale insects without their protective shells.   Aphids are not usually serious but they are a nuisance, especially if they spread to other plants. Insecticidal soap is effective at controlling them, but it must be sprayed directly on the aphids since it is a contact remedy.  Scale is a more serious pest. It is harder to control and tends to spread to other plants. In my experience, a lightweight or summer horticultural oil is the most effective. Again, this spray must come into direct contact with the scale shells. It works by suffocating them. The best way to apply the oil is either outdoors or in a shower. Spray the entire plant, top to bottom, both leaves and twigs, and be sure to spray both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. As always, it is important to follow all directions and warnings on the product label.   I would like to caution against using the kitchen-sink approach to insect control. The best practices principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) include using sprays only when necessary, and always using the least toxic control that is effective for the specific pests you are dealing with. This approach is not only better environmentally but is also healthier for you and your plants, as well as the least expensive.   Feel free to contact us anytime you have a question about plants, insects, or horticultural methods. Good luck with your indoor/outdoor gardening.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 06, 2023, 11:42 AM EDT
response: Hello,Thank you so much for your thoughtful response.Unfortunately aphids seems to be the go to when we sampled this question out to “master gardeners”.When we approached the conversation with humble “not knowing much about plants” aphids is always the wrong answer that is given, as a best guess. So we wanted to take the opportunity to educate the people that are lacking info.What you are seeing is the underside of a soft bodied scale ovisac. These “eggs” are small like a tiny bubble on a pizza. But if you flip them over, there is a whole generation living and growing. Here is an article that will help bring you to a proper level of education. https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/brown-soft-scale-a-common-insect-pest-of-indoor-plants-5-599/Also, thank you for being kind when I claimed to not know the type of plant. Assumed ignorance always create an opportunity for ego to cloud judgement.Have a great day, if you or your team would like any additional information on soft bodied scale, please reach out, this creature is fascinating and lacking in deserved popularity. Thanks,Jeremy Kelley On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 1:29 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Best Regards,   Replied April 06, 2023, 12:28 PM EDT
response: Dear Jeremy,  Thank you for sending the article about soft brown scale from Colorado State Extension.   As a matter of policy, members of Oregon Extension adhere to the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM): https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles#:~:text=For%20more%20information-,What%20is%20IPM%3F,their%20interaction%20with%20the%20environment.  Systemic controls and neonicotinoids are among the "riskier" controls. They are recommended only after all less risky methods and alternatives have proven to be ineffective. Additionally, all users are required by law to use insecticides according to the uses, directions, and precautions specified on product labels. The Oregon Department of Agriculture limits the use of products that contain the active ingredients, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and clothianidin.   Thank you again for contacting Ask Extension.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 06, 2023, 1:55 PM EDT
response: Also, blog articles are not legit and should not ever be trusted when you send things out. The blue spruce website you sent has several inaccuracies. Sending this stuff may be cute, but makes your educational value seem lacking… like you learned from blogs. I understand you use only the IPM. That’s great! But lack of innovation is what lead to the dust bowls of the 30s. Maybe next time, I should ask a farmer expert and not a backyard gardener. Thank you, and have a great day too!!! Jeremy On Thu, Apr 6, 2023 at 9:28 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Best Regards,   Replied April 06, 2023, 9:08 PM EDT
response: Dear Jeremy,  My apologies for sending The Spruce article. I sent it only because you said you were unsure of the identity of your plant.  Master Gardeners are volunteers who provide horticultural guidance to home gardeners such as yourself. If you have a passion for educating others, you might consider becoming a Master Gardener yourself. There may be opportunities for training and service that would lend themselves to your condition, and you would have an opportunity to discuss your ideas with OSU and Extension staff members.