Soft Scale Insects

Coccidae

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Coccidae: /ˈkɒksɪˌdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Encyrtid wasp , possibly laying on scale insect. (Possibly Coccus hesperidum)) - Flickr - gailhampshire by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Coccus hesperidum01 by Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, United States, Bugwood.org. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.
Ceroplastes rusci by Jeffrey W. Lotz, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.
Very small^ Encyrtid wasp, possibly laying on scale insect (possibly Coccus hesperidum) - Flickr - gailhampshire by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Coccus viridis (01) by Lyn Cook. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Ceroplastes rusci - Femmina adulta by Antonio Berlese. Used under a Public domain license.

Summary

Coccidae, or soft scales, are a diverse family of sap-sucking insects characterized by their flattened body shape and often waxy covering. They are important both ecologically and economically due to their plant-feeding habits.

Physical Characteristics

Flattened elongate oval body with a hard smooth exoskeleton or covered with wax. Legs may be present (in some genera) or absent; antennae may be reduced or absent. Males are winged or wingless.

Identification Tips

Look for flattened, oval-shaped bodies that may have a waxy covering. Check for the presence or absence of legs and the form of antennae for identification at the genus level.

Habitat

Coccidae thrive in a variety of habitats including horticultural crops, trees, and shrubs, often on the leaves or stems of plants.

Distribution

Around 1,100 species in 171 genera are found worldwide, with 110 species in 30 genera in the specified area.

Diet

Coccidae are sap-sucking insects that feed on the phloem sap of plants.

Life Cycle

Life cycles vary by species, but typically involve a series of molts from egg to nymph and finally to adult, which may be winged or wingless in males.

Reproduction

Reproduction can vary; some species reproduce sexually, while others may have parthenogenetic reproduction (females produce offspring without fertilization).

Predators

Natural predators include lady beetles, lacewings, and some parasitic wasps.

Ecosystem Role

Coccidae play a significant role in ecosystems as herbivores. They can also impact plant health, thus influencing food webs.

Economic Impact

They may cause significant damage to crops and ornamental plants, leading to economic losses in agriculture and horticulture.

Collecting Methods

  • Hand collecting from host plants
  • Using sticky traps to capture males

Preservation Methods

  • Ethanol preservation
  • Air-drying mounted specimens

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Soft scales are often confused with mealybugs and whiteflies; however, they belong to different families within Hemiptera.

Tags

  • Coccidae
  • soft scale insects
  • plant pests
  • hemiptera