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Is this brown scale?

Is this brown scale?

Comment from Shoot User
1114 2
I noticed black sooty spots on the leaves of my Curry Leaf Tree (Murraya koenigii.) The underside of the leaves has caramel brown tiny bugs. This plant was inside and I never saw such a pest on any other of my plants. I immediately took it outside for cooler night air, sprayed it with a spray pyrethrin solution, and waited. The leaves now appear to be dropping off, but I don't notice any new top growth, despite watering and fertilizing. Did this pest kill this plant? It has been two weeks or more.How long should I wait until new healthy growth appears? The photo is one similar to my plant in its healthy stage, for identification purposes.

Click to enlarge image
https://d30qmn300ic0sk.cloudfront.net/assets/users/user_44103/forum_11199_517_20120415094419.jpg
Posted: Sunday 15th of April 2012 08:44 AM

  • Re: Is this brown scale?

    Kathy N
    Hi, Chris,
    It sounds like aphids (though strange to have them if this plant is indoors). Aphids secrete a substance called honeydew - a sticky solution that once it drops on the plant's leaves, can encourage the growth of sooty mould - most likely the black spots you see. Too things are probably causing the leaves to droop. First, the abrupt change from inside to cool, night conditions will shock the plant. When moving an indoor plant outside, it needs to be acclimated slowly. Since Murraya is tender, it might not like the colder temps, especially at night. Second, the spray might have been too strong. Sometimes, you can remove many aphids by spraying them off with a hosepipe. Is it still outside? Any chance it is getting to cold?
    Kathy C
    Replied: Monday 16th of April 2012 07:09 PM

    • Re: Re: Is this brown scale?

      Shoot User
      Hello, Kathy... Thank you for your reply; I found it quite helpful. I did move Murraya to a more sheltered spot outdoors so it wouldn't get too cold. Great advice, especially for a struggling plant. Also, I used a very safe gentle aphid eradicator, with pyrethrins, and was very patient. Friends said: "throw that leafless thing away... but I was patient, and am happy to report a new lush and bug-free growth! Your reminder that Murraya is tender is heeded!
      https://d30qmn300ic0sk.cloudfront.net/assets/users/user_44103/forum_11570_470_20120521170452.jpghttps://d30qmn300ic0sk.cloudfront.net/assets/users/user_44103/forum_11570_288_20120521170453.jpg
      Replied: Monday 21st of May 2012 04:04 PM

  • Re: Is this brown scale?

    STEPHEN READ
    I have attached a pic of brown scale maybe it will help to ID yours.
    https://d30qmn300ic0sk.cloudfront.net/assets/users/user_53069/forum_13574_278_20130211193600.jpg
    Replied: Monday 11th of February 2013 07:36 PM
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