What are these things on my coconut palm?

[idontknowhatnametuse]

They're everywhere, how do I make them not appear again? I've tried to remove them for months but they always reappear.

 

[mnorell]

Those are scale insects. They are sucking insects (like aphids) but they build a permanent shell around themselves for protection, and suck juices from the leaf. If this is outside in your garden, you probably will notice them disappear over time due to predators. They are not really a danger to your plant in most circumstances, just a problem in greenhouses or as house-plants where they can get out of control. You can use a mixture of water with insecticidal soap/dish-soap to spray them, also you can use neem oil. These are the least ecologically damaging ways to treat scale, that way you will not harm or kill the other creatures in your garden.

[PalmatierMeg]

Looks like some kind of scale insect. Good luck getting rid of them for good. I assume you do or plan to harvest the fruit, so my first thought - an imidacloprid drench - is out for edible fruit.

However, my first thought when I saw the black creepy crawlies was, “Ticks?” I have a phobia about ticks. However, ticks are arachnids and have 8 legs. Scale are insects and have 6 legs. Can you use a magnifying glass to do a leg count?

[Silas_Sancona]

18 minutes ago, mnorell said:

Those are scale insects. They are sucking insects (like aphids) but they build a permanent shell around themselves for protection, and suck juices from the leaf. If this is outside in your garden, you probably will notice them disappear over time due to predators. They are not really a danger to your plant in most circumstances, just a problem in greenhouses or as house-plants where they can get out of control. You can use a mixture of water with insecticidal soap/dish-soap to spray them, also you can use neem oil. These are the least ecologically damaging ways to treat scale, that way you will not harm or kill the other creatures in your garden.

 

16 minutes ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Looks like some kind of scale insect. Good luck getting rid of them for good. I assume you do or plan to harvest the fruit, so my first thought - an imidacloprid drench - is out for edible fruit.

However, my first thought when I saw the black creepy crawlies was, “Ticks?” I have a phobia about ticks. However, ticks are arachnids and have 8 legs. Scale are insects and have 6 legs. Can you use a magnifying glass to do a leg count?

Definitely Scale. Black looking ones may be a different instar ..term used for immature insect stages..

As Mnorell mentions, try to go the least toxic route when trying to eliminate them if you can.. Soap could work, though "hard" scales like these ( species with tougher shells 0 can be tougher to get at with insecticidal soap.

On that note, if they're around, esp. if tending the scales, you may have to use something stronger to deter ants, which often will farm Scale insects ( ..and Aphids, Mealy Bugs ) ..For ants, you can use something target based like bait stations, placed near the trunk rather than a more broad spectrum means of control.

Without the ants to protect them, predators like various parasitic wasps, etc will move in for the kill ( ..of the scale )

 A one hit use of chemical control should only be considered if ...and only if the infestation were to get very bad. Doesn't look like that is the case at this point however..

[idontknowhatnametuse]

4 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Looks like some kind of scale insect. Good luck getting rid of them for good. I assume you do or plan to harvest the fruit, so my first thought - an imidacloprid drench - is out for edible fruit.

However, my first thought when I saw the black creepy crawlies was, “Ticks?” I have a phobia about ticks. However, ticks are arachnids and have 8 legs. Scale are insects and have 6 legs. Can you use a magnifying glass to do a leg count?

These have no legs. The insects never move. And if they have legs I'm pretty sure they're really small.

Edited March 15, 2023 by idontknowhatnametuse

[idontknowhatnametuse]

4 hours ago, mnorell said:

Those are scale insects. They are sucking insects (like aphids) but they build a permanent shell around themselves for protection, and suck juices from the leaf. If this is outside in your garden, you probably will notice them disappear over time due to predators. They are not really a danger to your plant in most circumstances, just a problem in greenhouses or as house-plants where they can get out of control. You can use a mixture of water with insecticidal soap/dish-soap to spray them, also you can use neem oil. These are the least ecologically damaging ways to treat scale, that way you will not harm or kill the other creatures in your garden.

I used a mix of water and dish soap. I hope that works. The palm stayed inside for a few weeks. Less than 3 weeks and got this disease.