FarmI wrote:
"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote in message

Does anyone have any idea what these things might be please?

Answering my own question here for those who might be interested. I did a
google and was stunned at how many varieties of scales there are and how
hard I had to hunt to find anything like it. I think the one we have is an
armoured scale and the one that looks most like it is called ceroplastes
janeirensis:
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgu...ed=0CAwQ9QEwAw


What happens when you pour soapy water on them ?