Coccidae

soft scales, wax scales, tortoise scales

Genus Guides

16

is a of scale insects in the superfamily Coccoidea, commonly known as soft scales, , or tortoise . The family contains over 1,100 in 171 worldwide. Females are typically flat with elongated oval bodies and smooth often covered with wax; they may possess legs in some genera but not in others. Males may be winged or wingless. Coccidae are distinguished from armored scales (Diaspididae) by their soft, waxy covering rather than a hard, separable scale. Many species are economically important agricultural and horticultural pests.

Pulvinaria floccifera by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.Coccus longulus by 何の権利も保有しない, Jesse Rorabaugh によって投稿されました. Used under a CC0 license.Coccus longulus by 何の権利も保有しない, Jesse Rorabaugh によって投稿されました. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Coccidae: /ˈkɒksɪˌdiː/

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Identification

are distinguished from armored scales ( Diaspididae) by their soft, waxy protective covering that is not separable from the insect body. Females are typically flat with elongated oval bodies and smooth ; legs may be present or absent depending on , and may be shortened or missing. Males may be (winged) or (wingless). The waxy coating distinguishes them from the hard, shell-like covering of armored scales.

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Habitat

Found on a wide variety of plants including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. occur in diverse environments from natural forests to agricultural orchards and urban ornamental plantings. Specific associations vary by species; for example, Physokermes piceae occurs on spruce in forest and urban settings, while Eulecanium rugulosum infests pistachio orchards.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution. The contains over 1,100 in 171 globally. Individual species distributions vary: Physokermes piceae occurs in Europe and has invaded the steppe zone of Ukraine since 1983; Eulecanium rugulosum is found in Turkey and surrounding regions; Toumeyella pini ranges across eastern North America; Eucalymnatus tessellatus, probably of South American origin, has been disseminated worldwide on cultivated .

Seasonality

Varies by and climate. Physokermes piceae shows increases lasting 2-3 years with four documented from 1983 to 2020 in Ukraine. Toumeyella pini emerge in late May or early June in temperate regions, with up to three per year in Georgia, USA. Many temperate species overwinter as females.

Diet

Phloem-feeding; all feed on plant sap using . Specific plant associations vary widely by species.

Life Cycle

Hemimetabolous development with . Life stages typically include , (first-instar nymph with legs), subsequent nymphal instars, and . is pronounced: females are sedentary and often legless as adults, while males may develop wings. Number of varies from one per year in temperate to multiple generations in warmer climates.

Behavior

Females are sedentary after the stage, remaining attached to plant stems or leaves. Crawlers are the dispersive stage, moving to new growth or new hosts via , wind , or on animals or human activity. Some produce honeydew, attracting ants and other insects and promoting growth. Males are mobile and seek out females for mating.

Ecological Role

Many are significant agricultural and horticultural pests, causing direct damage through phloem feeding and indirect damage through honeydew production and growth. They serve as prey for various natural enemies including lady beetles, lacewings, predatory , and . Some species have become in regions where they lack natural enemies.

Human Relevance

Economically important as pests of crops and ornamental plants. Notable pest include: Physokermes piceae (spruce bud ), damaging spruce in forests and urban plantings; Eulecanium rugulosum, a pest of pistachio; Sphaerolecanium prunastri (plum scale), damaging stone fruits and almonds; Toumeyella pini (striped pine scale), a pest of pine trees. Management approaches include chemical control targeting stages, using and , and cultural practices.

Similar Taxa

  • Diaspididae (armored scales)Armored scales have a hard, separable protective covering (test) produced by wax glands, distinct from the soft, waxy, inseparable covering of . Diaspididae females lack and legs as , while some Coccidae retain these features.
  • Pseudococcidae (mealybugs)Mealybugs are also soft-bodied but typically retain legs throughout life and produce copious white, powdery wax; they are generally more mobile than female .
  • Margarodidae (giant scales)Giant scales are typically larger with more conspicuous morphological features and different wax secretion patterns; some retain legs in females.

More Details

Taxonomic diversity

The contains over 1,100 in 171 worldwide, with Myzolecaniinae recognized. Notable genera include Coccus, Eulecanium, Lecanium, Pulvinaria, Saissetia, and Physokermes.

Invasion biology

Several have become . Physokermes piceae invaded the steppe zone of Ukraine in 1983 and has undergone multiple . Eucalymnatus tessellatus has been disseminated worldwide from its probable South American origin on cultivated .

Natural enemies

are attacked by diverse , particularly in Encyrtidae and Aphelinidae. Documented parasitoids include Blastothrix (Encyrtidae) attacking Eulecanium rugulosum, Coccophagus lycimnia (Aphelinidae) attacking Toumeyella pini, and various Metaphycus species.

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