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Does anybody know what these brown spots are on my prickly pear cactus? I can peel it off but I’m wondering if it’s a type of cactus bug and if it could spread to my other plants?            #plantsmakepeoplehappy #cactusclique #cactus #pricklypearcactus #pricklypear #pestcontrol #pestsandplants

@FairyFly · Answer

Well, what does it look like underneath after you peel it off? Cause there's regular edema (just natural scarring) then there's scale bugs or other pests. If you add relevant hashtags like #happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #cactusclique #cactus #pricklypearcactus #pricklypear #pestcontrol #pestsandplants in you description, then more groups and people will see it.

@FairyFly · Answer

Hmm, it's probably just edema then. I would just monitor it for the next week. If they get bigger then maybe repost with the group hashtags and someone with more pest or disease experience can help. I hope you work out the problem!

@SvelteKingfern · Answer

You can't peel off edema (a clear wound beneath if you try to peel it off), but you can peel off scale. So, I think it's scale.

@SvelteKingfern · Answer

Well, if it looks completely normal when you peel this off, then it's not edema.
You may consider scraping off again.

@TheConservator · Answer

I dont think its any bug or really anything to even worry about now.  Just keep an eye on it.  Even cacti can fet sunburn damage or something else 🤷‍♂️

@TheConservator · Answer

Very few cacti stay looking perfect in my experience.

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