Stictococcidae

Definition

A family of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) comprising three genera and approximately seventeen described species, all restricted to Afrotropical regions. Members are commonly known as stictococcids.

Etymology

Example

Stictococcus vayssierei, the African root and tuber scale, is a pest of cassava and other root crops in Central and West Africa.

Synonyms

• stictococcids

Related Terms

• Coccoidea
• scale insects
• Hemiptera
• Afrotropical region
• Stictococcus
• cassava pests

Usage Notes

As a family-level taxon, Stictococcidae takes the plural form in grammatical usage but refers to a single taxonomic group. The family's narrow geographic restriction to Africa and small species count make it notable among scale insect families. Formerly classified within broader groupings, its current familial status reflects refined understanding of scale insect phylogeny.