Dark burgundy pest ? on my Phals

[Helen]

I noticed some round burgundy coloured circles on the underside of my phal leaves, (all four new seedlings that I separated recently.) The circle comes off easily with a fingernail, so I squished it between my fingers - it felt a little moist and could perhaps be a pest of some kind? Help! What could it be? No dull moments with my new past time!
FirstTimer

[gerneveyn]

It could be scale. Here's a link with pictures: Scale Insects and Mealybugs on Ornamental Plants

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Sounds like scale.

[Oscarman]

Matthew, does it look like this except darker? This is soft scale.

[cb977]

Matthew, it definitely sounds like scale. Make sure you actually remove the little *$^$#* once you've treated them to their last shower

Read on:
Scale—A Grower’s Nightmare - Orchids

[Ross]

Also, just removing the visible adult does NOT assure you've taken care of the threat because there may be eggs or young'ns hanging around. I usually just squash the rare scale insect I sometimes get and then spray with Safer Soap the entire plant, being sure to get all surfaces and crevasses.

[Tindomul]

I have scale on my little Tolumnia that I got from Black Jungle in January. I kept in a high humidity area and it seemed to be under control (I didn't know what was wrong back then). Then I took it out, and I have to keep taking the scales off every day by the tons. Ok about 10 a day.

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Hit it with Neem oil - two applications and you'll eradicate them.

[Helen]

Thanks everyone...I haven't heard of Neem Oil. Does it go by another name? Can I use rubbing alcholol to dab them too? I guess it's scale, they are a dark red/burgundy round little bugg..r
FirstTimer

[Ross]

Safer Soap should do it. And it's safe and cheap. Available at all "big box" stores.