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Posted 3Y ago by @Benji

What’s this on my philodendron leaf?

I am not very good at IDing pests and not sure what this is, if anything, please help! First 2 phots are topside of same leaf, last photo is the back of another leaf.
Giganteum
Giganteum
Elephant Ear Philodendron
6ft to light, indirect
5” pot with drainage
Last watered 3 years ago
@RealSimpleMama
Sarah
42602 XP
3Y ago
@RealSimpleMama
I’m not sure but am going to bump your post and add hashtags #help #pestID #PestControl #Philodendron #PhiloFlock
@Benji
Benji
2047 XP
3Y ago
@Benji
@RealSimpleMama thank you 🙏
@WayoutRanch
Laura
4319 XP
3Y ago
@WayoutRanch
Are they mealy bugs? I can't really tell what they are and the location is strange. I am used to pests gathering at the base of leaves and spreading outwards. Is there damage there as well?
@TwistedThreads
Kristy GOLDBLATT
126370 XP
3Y ago
@TwistedThreads
@Benji that looks like what got ahold of my Monsteras. I’m not sure what it was but I sprayed them both down with Neem Oil for 2 weeks in a row. That seems to take care of it.
@jaysjungle
Jays Jungle
15248 XP
3Y ago
@jaysjungle
Looks like it could be scale. I don't have experience treating it, but know others here do.
@Benji
Benji
2047 XP
3Y ago
@Benji
More detail if this helps: I bought 4 plants from a big seller on Etsy 6-7 weeks ago. An adansonii that arrived sick and died, a plowmanii with fungus gnats and mealy bugs that died, a brasil that is still alive but not super healthy looking, and this elephant ear with, whatever the heck this is.
@Benji
Benji
2047 XP
3Y ago
@Benji
@WayoutRanch I don’t see much damage at the base. Here is another leaf that has the most physical damage.
@Benji
Benji
2047 XP
3Y ago
@Benji
@TwistedThreads how often did you spray? Any specific brand of neem? Thank you!
@Benji
Benji
2047 XP
3Y ago
@Benji
@jaysjungle I ran the pic through a bug ID app and one possibility it gave was Florida wax scale, but tbh the app is not very accurate, so IDK. Appreciate your input, thank you.
@WayoutRanch
Laura
4319 XP
3Y ago
@WayoutRanch
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/scales/florida_wax_scale.htm here is a link to a page on FL wax scale. if you scroll down about half way there are photos of different stages of its life cycle. one does look like what you have on the back of the leaf. Given the additional info you provided there may be a combination of things going on. I hope it turns around for you!
@Benji
Benji
2047 XP
3Y ago
@Benji
@WayoutRanch it sure does look like that pink instar as you said, thanks for taking the time to help 🙏 may all your plants be pest free forever!
@WayoutRanch
Laura
4319 XP
3Y ago
@WayoutRanch
I am glad you shared this. It was a good reminder to not be complacent and carefully monitor new plants. 👍
@Benji
Benji
2047 XP
3Y ago
@Benji
Last one, I found these on the midrib underside of a couple leaves. These look more like scale pics I’ve seen but no idea.
@TwistedThreads
Kristy GOLDBLATT
126370 XP
3Y ago
@TwistedThreads
@Benji I sprayed every 7 days in the evening time. I too agree with @jaysjungle on it being scale.
@TwistedThreads
Kristy GOLDBLATT
126370 XP
3Y ago
@TwistedThreads
@Benji I treated mine as if it was scale. I did scape as much off as I could. Both of my Monsteras got a bath in Neem Oil two weekends in a row. There is quite a few more places on both of them, but I just wanted to show you what it did to mine.
@TwistedThreads
Kristy GOLDBLATT
126370 XP
3Y ago
@TwistedThreads
@Benji the first pic is of my oldest Monstera and the other picture is of one that’s about 5 months newer. The leaf I have posted has two fenestrations, I am so excited about that. That leaf is off my first one. Before I sprayed them down with Neem Oil I ended up cutting 15 leaves off of each of them.