Have these insects all over the bark of plants in our garden. Wondering what they are and if I should be concerned for the well-being of the plants they are infesting. Thanks
Resemble lecanium scale. They are in fact there to suck plant juices making them a pest insect in the garden.
Scale insects can be very challenging to eliminate in a garden, especially if the problem is extensive. I was successful a few years ago using my fingernail to scrape them off the branches of a single shrub but that required going out day after day to see if any new ones had shown up. This article gives a good overview of what is involved. Help for Hard-to-Control Scale Insects in Your Garden