Pest ID needed please (in garden but not on orchids!)

[Fuerte Rav]

Hi all
Came across a different bug today. It was on a bare lower twig on a Jacaranda tree. I think there were actually 2 of these 'things' tightly together.
I pulled them off the twig - the white 'cocoons'? were about an inch long. Inside was an orange/red gunge, but then I saw little orange/red critters! I think the gunge was actually a load of eggs or immature critters.
I've put the pics in iNaturalist but haven't had any responses yet.
Whatever they were they got comprehensively squashed!

[estación seca]

It does look like an egg case.

[Arizona Jeanie]

Looks to me like Cottony Cushion Scale (Icerya purchasi) or something similar.
Cottony Cushion Scale Management Guidelines--UC IPM

What can I do about cottony cushion scale? - Gardening FAQ

---------- Post added at 11:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:06 AM ----------

Some interesting information about biological control of Cottony Cushion Scale in the Galapagos Islands:
Cottony cushion scale | Applied Biological Control Research

[Fuerte Rav]

Thanks Jeanie! That's the little bast**ds.
Unfortunately I've not seen the little predator beetle here so if necessary I'll resort to Neem oil and Hort Soap.
Really appreciate the effort put in to help me with this!
Interesting reading in the links.
Cheers