Lecanodiaspididae

False pit scales can be recognized by the adult female's waxy, papery test (covering) with approximately eight transverse ridges creating a corrugated appearance. A longitudinal ridge runs through the center of the test, and the anal opening at the posterior end has rolled-up edges. Adults are yellow to reddish-brown in color beneath the test. These features distinguish them from other scale insect families.

Members primarily inhabit trunks and branches of shrubs and deciduous trees. They are found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions across diverse vegetation types including plantations, reforestation areas, and natural forests.

Worldwide distribution with highest diversity in the Far East (East Asia). Documented from the Neotropics (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Uruguay, Venezuela, Mexico), Australia, and other regions. The family has been introduced to new areas through transport of host plants.

Phloem-feeding herbivores that extract plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. Host associations span 67 plant families, with strong preference for Fabaceae. Also recorded on Fagaceae, Moraceae, Myrtaceae, Rutaceae, Anacardiaceae, Annonaceae, Verbenaceae, and Orchidaceae.

• Fabaceae - primary host familypredominant host family
• Fagaceae - host
• Moraceae - host
• Myrtaceae - host
• Rutaceae - host
• Anacardiaceae - host
• Annonaceae - host
• Verbenaceae - host
• Orchidaceae - host

Females develop through three instar stages; males develop through five instar stages. Usually one generation per year. Eggs are laid under the mother's test and overwinter there. Males are present in most species. All developmental stages (eggs, nymphs, adults of both sexes) can be found together in colonies.

Form gregarious colonies on host plant stems and branches. Excrete honeydew, which attracts ant guards and promotes sooty mold growth. Long-distance dispersal occurs via wind, water, animals, or human transport of infested host plants.

Herbivores that can cause significant plant damage including drying of apical branches and death of young plants in heavy infestations. Serve as hosts for parasitoid wasps including Cephaleta sp. (Pteromalidae), Anisophleps alternata, Metaphycus terani, and Signiphora sp. Ants tend colonies for honeydew, creating multi-species associations.

Some species are agricultural and forestry pests of quarantine importance. Lecanodiaspis dendrobii is listed as a pest of quarantine concern to the United States. Species have been evaluated as potential biological control agents for invasive plants, such as Anomalococcus indicus for prickly acacia (Vachellia nilotica) in Australia.

• scale insects
• Coccoidea
• phloem-feeder
• plant pest
• honeydew producer
• ant association
• biological control candidate

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• First report of Lecanodiaspis dendrobii Douglas, 1892 (Hemiptera: Lecanodiaspididae) and the associated parasitoid Cephaleta sp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in Brazil
• Ocorrência de <i>Lecanodiaspis dendrobii</i> (Hemiptera: Lecanodiaspididae) e do parasitoide associado Cephaleta sp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) em mogno africano no Brasil
• Life history ofAnomalococcus indicus(Hemiptera: Lecanodiaspididae), a potential biological control agent for prickly acaciaVachellia niloticassp.indicain Australia
• The host specificity ofAnomalococcus indicusAyyar (Hemiptera: Lecanodiaspididae), a potential biological control agent for prickly acacia (Vachellia niloticassp.indica) in Australia
• A new species of Lecanodiaspis Targioni Tozzetti, 1869 (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Lecanodiaspididae), with an updated checklist of the false pit scales of China.