Question
I have a large light color diffenbachia which is extremely healthy planted in my indoor pond area which has these things that look like tiny eggs that are attached to the fronts and backs of the leaves. These eggs are hard to remove and number in the thousands.  None of the other plants seem to have them. first I sprayed with over the counter product and nothing happened. so i washed each of the leaves with a washcloth with soap and water and vinegar. then i used an over the counter pest solution washing each of the leaves and best i could everywhere.  I am waiting to see what happens now. I have never seen anything like this and i find nothing on the internet that remotely describes or looks like the same thing.  Do you know what this could be?  

Answer
Hi Sharon,

There are very few indoor houseplant pests that would use a Dieffenbachia as a host. Aphids and scale insects are two possibilities. Aphids fit your color description, but they have insect features that you can see if you look really closely. Scales look like slightly raised bumps with no identifiably insect features. As adults they develop a hard dark shell covering. However, in their juvenile form they may have a lighter color. Scale scrapes off easily with a fingernail and reveals a whitish residue underneath.

Based on your description, I would lean more to scale than aphids.

If neither description seems to fit, then you may have some pest that is local to your area or possibly something from the pond area.

One final thought. Sometimes healthy Dieffenbachias secrete small globules of sap on their leaves. They are usually clear in color and slightly sticky.

Let me know what you think you have. If you can email a photo to me at [email protected], I may be able to ID the critters for you. Once you have an ID, I can help you with treatment.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

Visit my web site at www.HorticulturalHelp.com