California-red-scale

Guides

• Aonidiella aurantii

  California red scale, red scale

  Aonidiella aurantii, commonly known as California red scale or red scale, is an armored scale insect and major agricultural pest of citrus and other crops. Native to South China, it has spread globally through human-mediated transport of infected plant material, first appearing in California between 1868 and 1875. The species is now established across six continents and infests over 77 plant families, with citrus remaining its primary economic host. Heavy infestations cause fruit pitting, shoot distortion, leaf drop, and tree death.

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