Eriococcidae

Definition

A family of scale insects (order Hemiptera) commonly known as felt scales, characterized by the production of dense, woolly or felt-like waxy coverings that enclose the body. Most species are highly host-specific, each typically restricted to a particular plant species or closely related group of hosts. The family comprises approximately 109 genera and 681 species as of 2023.

Etymology

From Greek erion (wool) + kokkos (berry/grain, referring to scale insects), alluding to the felt-like waxy covering.

Example

The genus Eriococcus includes numerous felt scale species that infest oaks and other woody plants, with each species often restricted to a single host genus; their dense white waxy secretions can completely obscure the underlying insect body.

Synonyms

• felt scales
• eriococcids

Related Terms

• Coccoidea
• Diaspididae
• Pseudococcidae
• scale insect
• host specificity
• waxy covering
• Hemiptera

Usage Notes

The common name 'felt scales' refers specifically to the dense, woolly wax secretions that distinguish this family from armored scales (Diaspididae) and mealybugs (Pseudococcidae). Host specificity is exceptionally high in this group, making species identification often dependent on knowledge of the host plant. Formerly, some authorities treated Eriococcidae as a subfamily within a broader Coccidae concept, but modern classifications recognize it as a distinct family within the superfamily Coccoidea.