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enter image description here

Is this mushroom or animal? I can remove the black dots by slightly scratching the leaves.

kevinskio
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RockScience
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  • possible duplicate of [Can anyone identify this abnormality that is on my dwarf citrus?](http://gardening.stackexchange.com/questions/4548/can-anyone-identify-this-abnormality-that-is-on-my-dwarf-citrus) – kevinskio Aug 23 '13 at 10:56
  • @kevinsky: both are indeed certainly scale, eventhough it is not the same species. – RockScience Aug 23 '13 at 17:47

1 Answers1

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If you can remove them from the leave then they are scale. Due to the dark colour I believe they are Black Scale (Saissetia oleae). They suck juices from the plant and excrete a sugary sap. Look for sticky leaves. Ants are sometimes seen in close company with these pests.

For small plants some control can be done with soap and water but a complete answer is here.

They are described here and an excellent answer on maintenance of citrus is here

Edit @RockScience feels they are a different species of scale for which a reference can be found here. Either way soap and water and possibly a toothbrush for "hands on" pest control will work.

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kevinskio
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  • thank you very much for your help. After some research based on your hint, it seems to be 'Parlatoria ziziphi', which is indeed a variety of black scale. The leaves are not really sticky but comparing my plant with pictures of this scale is clear. – RockScience Aug 23 '13 at 16:43
  • http://dspace.unict.it/bitstream/10761/1219/1/JNDHNN80R62Z352F-JENDOUBI%20HANENE.Thesis%202011.pdf for a good reference – RockScience Aug 23 '13 at 17:43