Scale Insects on Houseplants Entomology Scale Insects on Houseplants Scale insects are a common pest of houseplants and can be found stunting and deforming plants throughout the year. Any of several different species of scale insects may be found on plants in the home or greenhouse. They all have in common a waxy or shell-like covering over the body of the sessile insect.
Some scales are hemispherical in shape, while others are oval and flat.
Scale insects feed on plant sap sucked thorough a slender stylet that remains inserted constantly into the plant tissue. Sap loss may cause poor, stunted growth. Death of infested plants is possible in severe cases. More commonly noticed than the scales is the large quantity of a sweet sticky liquid called honeydew that is excreted by the scale insects. Honeydew can make a sticky, shiny mess on the plant and nearby furniture and floors.