Ground-pearls
Guides
Margarodes
Cyst-forming Coccids, Ground Pearls
Margarodes is a genus of scale insects in the family Margarodidae, commonly known as "ground pearls" for the waxy, pearl-like cysts formed by immature stages in soil. The genus was erected in 1828 by Lansdown Guilding based on specimens found in soil on the Bahamas associated with ants. Members of this genus are subterranean for much of their life cycle, feeding on plant roots. The type species is Margarodes formicarum.
Margarodidae
ground pearls, cottony cushion scales, giant coccids, giant scale insects
Margarodidae, commonly known as ground pearls or cottony cushion scales, is a family of scale insects within the superfamily Coccoidea. The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many former subfamilies (including Monophlebidae, Matsucoccidae, Xylococcidae, and others) now elevated to family status. The current Margarodidae sensu stricto is monophyletic and includes genera such as Margarodes, Porphyrophora, and Eurhizococcus. Members exhibit diverse life histories, with some species being subterranean root feeders and others above-ground foliar feeders. Several species are economically important as agricultural pests or historically as sources of natural dyes.