Based on what I've seen in the internet, I am fairly certain I have a type of cotton-scale on a number of my balcony plants..and they're spreading! This in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There are obvious cotton-like pods in the junctions of the branches and, on closer inspection, small (upto 1mm, 1/8in) white-grey, waxy (woodlouse-looking) insects that tend to cluster under the leaves or on stems. Interestingly, the local ants seem to have a lot to do with them and I am sure I have seen ants moving the insects about. I have tried cutting-back and quarantining plants and removing the insects where possible. ALso used a horrible chemical spray (with a Spanish-name) that the previous tenant left behind - it has the right-looking pictures on the box and seems to work, though has also killed off one of the afflicted plants in the process and stinks to high heaven. I read somewhere about using soapy-water, but other than that, I am losing this one. Any suggestions??
