There are many different types of scale insects. They may be black, brown or pink and look like small rounded limpets stuck on to leaves, often on the midrib. Wax Scale looks like blobs of wax on the stems and midribs of leaves. It may be white, pink , brown or greyish.

Scale attack a wide range of plants such as citrus plants, grapevines, ferns, frangipani, gardenias, hydrangeas, camellias, chrysanthemums, roses, palms, umbrellas trees, lillypillies, fruit trees and many others.

Scale produce lots of honeydew - a sticky, sugary excretion that encourages the growth of ugly sooty mould. If you want to get rid of the mould you need to get rid of the scale first.