Soft-scale
Guides
Ceroplastes rusci
Fig Wax Scale
Ceroplastes rusci, commonly known as the fig wax scale, is a soft scale insect (family Coccidae) native to the Mediterranean region. First discovered in Florida in 1994-1995, it has since spread to numerous countries across six continents and is recognized as a significant agricultural and forestry pest. The species feeds on more than 94 genera from 52 plant families, with notable impacts on figs, citrus, grapes, and ornamental plants. Climate change modeling predicts expanding suitable habitat ranges through 2100, increasing its invasive potential in temperate regions.
Coccus longulus
Long Brown Scale
Coccus longulus, commonly known as the long brown scale, is a soft scale insect in the family Coccidae. It has a broad global distribution spanning Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, and numerous Pacific islands. As a member of the soft scales, it likely feeds on plant sap and may produce honeydew, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Coccus viridis
green scale, green coffee scale, coffee green scale
Coccus viridis is a soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and major agricultural pest with a wide tropical and subtropical distribution. It reproduces parthenogenetically via thelytoky, with females producing 50-600 eggs that hatch within minutes to hours beneath the mother's body. The species completes its life cycle in 47-51 days at 25°C, with three nymphal instars before adulthood; first-instar nymphs actively disperse as 'crawlers' while older instars and adults become sessile. It is polyphagous, feeding on phloem sap of over 200 plant genera in 72 families, with primary economic damage to coffee, guava, and cacao crops.
Eucalymnatus
tessellated scale
Eucalymnatus is a genus of soft scale insects in the family Coccidae. The best-known species, Eucalymnatus tessellatus, is native to South America and has spread to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Species in this genus are phytophagous and can become significant pests of ornamental plants, fruit trees, and palms in nurseries and landscapes.
Microterys
Microterys is a large genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae (Chalcidoidea), with its center of distribution in the northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Species are important natural enemies of various scale insects (Coccoidea), including soft scales (Coccidae), wax scales (Ceroplastes), and mealybugs (Pseudococcidae). The genus has been extensively studied for biological control applications, particularly for managing pest scale insects on citrus and other crops. Several species have been introduced to new regions as biocontrol agents, including Microterys flavus in California.
parasitoidbiological-controlscale-insectCoccoideaEncyrtidaeChalcidoideaHymenopteraovipositorintegrated-pest-managementcitrus-pestsoft-scalemealybughyperparasitoidhost-specificitybiotypeclassical-biological-controlsynchrotron-microtomographyoviposition-behaviornatural-enemyagricultural-entomologytaxonomyGiraultAustraliaChinaCaliforniaSyriaIndiaCzech-RepublicEuropeAsiaNorth-AmericaSouthern-HemisphereCeroplastesCoccusPhenacoccusKermesParthenolecaniumMetaceronemaChaetococcusKerriaLacciferGascardiaSphaerolecaniumCerococcusChloropulvinariapest-managementhost-selectionhost-penetrationenvenomationegg-depositionhost-feedingvalvifervalvulamusculoskeletal-system3D-morphologySEMSR-µCTinvasive-speciesbiocontrol-introductionhyperparasitismefficiency-reductionnatural-enemy-conservationcitrusCamelliaMagnoliafruit-cropsornamental-plantsforestrylac-insectwax-scaleplum-scalecottony-maple-scaleEuropean-fruit-lecaniumbrown-soft-scalecitricola-scalecitrus-snow-scaleJapanese-wax-scaletype-materialspecies-descriptionredescriptionidentification-keyintraspecific-variationdiagnostic-charactersNorthern-Hemispherecenter-of-distributioncosmopolitannew-speciesnew-recordfaunisticsmuseum-collectionUCRTimberlakeCompereGordhTriapitsynNoyesXuSugonjaevPrinslooRosenIshiiMercetDalmanHowardAshmeadWalkerFerrièreKerrichAnneckeMynhardtHayatSubba-RaoTrjapitzinViggianiDe-SantisMayrThomsonWestwoodGahanCrawfordBlanchardPerkinsRisbecBruesBennettErdösSilvestriDomenichiniDozierCockerellCoquilletFonscolombeRatzeburgMatsumuraVassiljevYoshimotoGhesquièreTachikawaLogvinovskayaSiscaroAgarwalAhmadGhaniBurksGirault-speciesAustralian-faunaChinese-faunaIndian-faunaSyrian-faunaEuropean-faunaCalifornian-faunaglobal-distributioneconomic-entomologyapplied-entomologysystematicsmorphologybehavioral-ecologyfunctional-morphologyevolutionary-successdiverse-groupunderstudiedminute-waspsmicro-Hymenopteraslide-collectionvoucher-specimenshost-recordsundetermined-specimensvalid-generasynonymymanuscript-namesnomina-nudaunpublished-namesre-organizationcuratorhistorical-notescollection-growthcollecting-activitiesidentificationsortingdrawerspointsslidesparatypesbackbonebiological-control-projectsCalifornia-entomologistsCitrus-Experiment-StationHawaiian-collectionbee-taxonomysystematistsstudentsstaffworldlargestimportantvaluemere-numbertaxa-representedreportedscientific-literatureconductedaugmentedcontributionscountriesrapidlygrowingcompletelistpresenteditalicizedmiscellaneousundeterminedfull-drawersunsortedspecimens-per-slidemore-than-500-slidesat-least-700-slidessometimes-more-than-one-specimen-per-slidesynchrotron-X-ray-phase-contrast-microtomographyscanning-electron-microscopyin-vivo-documentation3D-modelmicrostructurescuticular-elementsmotion-patternsphasesparasitizationworking-mechanismkey-traitadaptive-evolutionreproductive-successmechanical-aspectsfunctional-aspectsfully-understoodenormously-diversespecializedparasitisingplant-pestsecological-roleeconomic-roleimprove-understandingmechanicsmode-of-functiondetailedanalysisidentifiedconsistingrecently-discovereddescribedelucidatedpenetrationassessmentinternal-organsdevelopedunderlyingobservedcontributinghighly-diverse-groupchalcidoid-waspsFrontiers-in-ZoologyActa-Musei-SilesiaeArab-Journal-for-Plant-ProtectionAustralian-Journal-of-EntomologyInsect-ScienceOriental-InsectsJournal-of-Natural-HistoryPhytoparasiticaAnnals-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-AmericaEnvironmental-EntomologyGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBI-TaxonomyiNaturalistWikipediaDOI10.1186/s12983-025-00575-110.2478/cszma-2021-000710.22268/AJPP-41.3.29230510.1111/j.1440-6055.1975.tb02058.x10.1111/j.1744-7917.2000.tb00345.x10.1080/00305316.2011.64682710.1111/j.1440-6055.1973.tb01670.x10.1080/00222933.2020.178660810.1007/s12600-019-00727-010.1007/s12600-018-0691-510.1093/aesa/54.2.22210.1093/ee/7.6.87420252021202319752000201119732020201920181950s1960s1876199920162017AprilJuneFebruaryNorth-MoraviaNE-Czech-RepublicMoravskoslezské-Beskydy-MtsMorávkaTurkmenistanCentral-AsiaLattakia-ProvinceAl-SanobarDabbaSyrian-coastDamascus-UniversityBiological-Control-Studies-and-Research-CenterBCSRCFaculty-of-AgricultureQueensland-MuseumZhejiangFujianYunnanGuangdongNortheast-ChinaWestern-AustraliaJilinfirst-recordnew-to-sciencefirst-timeadded-to-faunareviewednotesillustrationshabitusredescriptionsclose-relationshipdiscussedkey-providedfemalesmalestransferredextentvalidityevaluatedcorrectionbehaviorresponsehoneydewtaxonomy-matchhigher-rankacceptedcanonical-namerankstatusmatch-typeclassificationEukaryotaHexapodaApocritaTerebrantesEncyrtinaeobservations-countnoneevidencepaper-summaryconfidence-notesinferredexplicitly-statedvisible-textfull-paperaccessibleprovided-contentcited-referencesdetailed-biologytype-localitynative-rangegenerallimited-tobased-onno-information-providedabstractgenus-level-biologyfamily-level-biologydefinitivefull-text-requiredinferred-fromJaposhvili-1999Yasnosh-&-Japoshvili-1998high-hyperparasitoids-levelsreduced-efficiencynaturally-occurringmicroscopic-imagesmorphologicalmorphometric-characteristicsimportant-roleeconomic-importancesamplescollectedbroughtbased-on-information-gatheredmay-playobjectivefollowingprovidedillustratekeywordsgivencannot-be-properly-identifiedremaining-type-materialrecordedlocalitiessoft-scale-insect-hostscentre-of-distributionnorthern-partsmorphological-diagnostic-characterscritically-evaluatedmaterial-keptdeals-withprovinceshostpapercollected-fromhost-of-these-parasitoidsonHomopteraCoccidoideadescribed-fromas-parasitoid-offrom-Indiaassociated-withcommentshost-relationshipcorrection-tonew-species-fromparasitoid-ofnew-biological-raceintroduced-intocontrol-ofresponse-toand-its-honeydewNCBIAnimaliaArthropodaInsectaMicroterysThomson-1876genushigherrank511-observationsno-summaryMetazoawasps-ants-&-beesgroupmatcheddistribution-recordsEncyrtid-HoldingsEntomology-Research-MuseumUCR-collectioncompiled-bySerguei-V.-TriapitsynupdatedFebruary-2000one-of-the-largestmost-importantcollections779-valid-speciesaround-1000261-generaimportant-slide-collectionlargest-in-the-worldabout-8000-slidesunpublishednumerous-voucher-specimensstarted-byP.H.-Timberlakenumerous-paratypesunfortunatelylost-interestswitcheduntil-1970sH.-Comperenotable-contributionsP.-TimberlakeJ.-MapleP.-DeBachC.-Clausen1970s-1980sG.-GordhJ.-LaSalleJ.-WoolleyJ.-PintoJ.-BeardsleyMexicoUSother-countriespresentlygrowing-rapidlyJ.-HeratymajorityV.-TrjapitzinJ.-Noyescomplete-re-organizationS.-Triapitsyncurrent-curatorspecieson-pointson-slidesundetermined-to-genusabout-3-full-drawersAcerophagoidesAcerophagusAchalcerinysAdelencyrtoidesAdelencyrtusAenasiellaAenasiusAeptencyrtusAethognathusAgarwalencyrtusAgeniaspisAglyptusAgromyzaphagusAlamellaAloencyrtusAmeromyzobiaAmmonoencyrtusAnagyrusAnanusiaAnasemionAnathrixAnicetusAnomalicorniaAnthemusAnusiaAnusiopteraAphidencyrtoidesAphycoidesAphycomorphaAphycopsisAphycusApoanagyrusApoleptomastixApsilophrysArchinusArhopoidiellaArrhenophagusAschitusAstymachusAtropatesAustrochoreiaAvernesAvetianellaAztecencyrtusBaeoanusiaBaeocharisBlastothrixBlepyrusBorrowellaBothriocraeraBothriophryneBothriothoraxBoucekiellaBrethesiellaCaenocercusCaenohomalopodaCallipteromaCarabuniaCeballosiaCerapterocerellaCerapteroceroidesCerapteroceroideusCerapterocerusCerchysiellaCerchysiusCercobelusCharitopusCheiloneuromyiaCheiloneurusCheilopsisChoreiaChrysoplatycerusCicoencyrtusCirrhencyrtusClauseniaCoccidencyrtusCoccidoctonusCoccidoxenoidesCoelopencyrtusComperiaComperiellaCopidosomaCopidosomopsisCowperiaCryptanusiaCyderiusDeilioDiaphorencyrtusDicarnosisDinocarsiellaDinocarsisDiscodesDiversinervusDusmetiaEchthrogonatopusEchthroplexiellaEctromaEctromatopsisEncyrtusEotopusEpanusiaEpiblatticidaEpiencyrtusEpistenoterysEpitetracnemusErencyrtusEricydnusEucoccidophagusEugahaniaEupoecilopodaEusemionExoristobiaForcipestricisFormicencyrtusFulgoridicidaGahaniellaGinsianaGyranusoideaHabrolepisHabrolepopteryxHambletoniaHelegonatopusHemencyrtusHengataHesperencyrtusHeterococcidoxenusHexacladiaHexacnemusHexencyrtusHolanusomyiaHolcencyrtusHolcothoraxHomalopodaHomalotyloideaHomalotylusHoplopsisHypergonatopusIceromyiaIsodromusIxodiphagusLakshaphagusLamennaisiaLeefmansiaLeptomastideaLeptomastixLeurocerusLirencyrtusLykaMahencyrtusManicnemusMariolaMayridiaMeniscocephalusMeromyzobiaMesorhopellaMetablastothrixMetanotaliaMetaphaenodiscusMetaphycusMiraMonodiscodesMoorellaMucrencyrtusNeastymachusNeblatticidaNegeniaspidiusNeocharitopusNeocladiaNeococcidencyrtusNeodusmetiaNeoplatycerusOesolOobiusOoencyrtusOriencyrtusPaksimmondsiusPapakaParablastothrixParablatticidaParaclauseniaParaenasomyiaParaleurocerusParalitomastixParaphaenodiscusParapyrusParaschediusParatetracnemoideaParatetralophideaParechthrodryinusParectromoidellaParectromoidesPareusemionPentelicusPerpoliaPhilosindiaPlagiomerusPlatencyrtusPrionomastixPrionomitusProchiloneurusProleurocerusProleuroceroidesProtyndarichoidesPseudaphycusPseudectromaPseudencyrtoidesPseudencyrtusPseudhomalopodaPseudleptomastixPseudococcobiusPseudorhopusPsilophryoideaPsilophrysPsyllaephagusPsyllechthrusRaffaelliaRhopalencyrtoideaRhopusRhytidothoraxRuandellaSaeraSauleiaSchilleriellaSectiticlavaSubprionomitusSynsemionSyrphophagusSzelenyiolaTachardiaephagusTachardiobiusTachinaephagusTaftiaTanyencyrtusTassoniaTeleterebratusTetarticlavaTetracnemoideaTetracnemusTetracyclosThomsoniscaTineophoctonusTrechnitesTremblayaTrichomasthusTricladiaTrjapitzinellusTropidophryneTyndarichusTyndaricopsisVosleriaXenanusiaXenoencyrtusYasumatsuiolaZaommaZaommoencyrtusZaplatycerusZarhopaloidesZarhopalusspp.sp.sp(p).?nr.ms-namemanuscript-namenomen-nudumincludingprobably-mixed-withunsorted-miscellaneousUniversity-of-California-Riversidecollectionmuseumspecimensvouchershostsparasitoidsscale-insectsmealybugssoft-scaleswax-scalescitrus-pestsagricultural-pestsnatural-enemieshyperparasitoidsefficiencyovipositionanatomy3D-reconstructionmicrotomographyin-vivo-observationevolutionadaptive-radiationdiversityAfricaSouth-AmericaMiddle-EastHawaiihorticulturecrop-protectionaugmentative-biological-controlconservation-biological-controlegg-layingpopulation-dynamicsecosystem-servicesnatural-pest-controlsustainable-agricultureorganic-farmingbiodiversityinvasive-species-managementquarantinephylogenydiagnosisdescriptionnew-recordsbiogeographymuseum-collectionshistorical-collectionstype-specimenscuratorial-practicescollection-managementdata-qualityscientific-infrastructureresearch-capacitycollaborationknowledge-transfereducationoutreachpublic-engagementscience-communicationopen-accessdata-sharingFAIR-principlesdigitalizationimagingmicroscopytomography3D-modelingcomputational-biologybiomechanicskinematicsmuscle-physiologyneuroethologysensory-ecologychemical-ecologyhost-locationhost-recognitionhost-acceptancehost-suitabilityforaging-behaviorlearningmemorydecision-makinglife-historydevelopmentreproductionsurvivalmortalitypopulation-ecologycommunity-ecologytrophic-interactionsfood-websecosystem-functioningecosystem-stabilityresiliencesustainabilityenvironmental-changeclimate-changeland-use-changehabitat-fragmentationpollutionpesticide-usebiological-invasionsconservationrestorationrewildingnature-based-solutionsgreen-infrastructureurban-ecologyagroecologyecological-intensificationsustainable-intensificationclimate-smart-agricultureprecision-agriculturedigital-agriculturesmart-farmingagricultural-technologybiotechnologygenetic-improvementbreedingselectionbiocontrol-agent-improvementmass-rearingrelease-strategiesmonitoringevaluationimpact-assessmentrisk-assessmentregulatory-frameworkspolicygovernancestakeholder-engagementfarmer-adoptionsocio-economicscost-benefit-analysisreturn-on-investmentlivelihoodsfood-securitynutritionhealthwellbeingequityjusticeethicsresponsible-innovationprecautionary-principlebiosafetybiosecurityOne-Healthplanetary-healthsustainability-sciencefutures-studiesscenario-planningadaptive-managementtransdisciplinary-researchparticipatory-researchcitizen-scienceindigenous-knowledgetraditional-ecological-knowledgelocal-knowledgeexpert-knowledgescientific-knowledgeknowledge-integrationknowledge-co-productionboundary-workscience-policy-interfaceevidence-based-policypolicy-relevant-researchresearch-impactsocietal-impacttransformational-changesystem-changeparadigm-shiftnew-normalAnthropoceneGreat-Accelerationplanetary-boundariessafe-operating-spaceDoughnut-Economicscircular-economyregenerative-agricultureagroforestrypermaculturebiodynamic-agriculturenature-farmingecological-agricultureorganic-agriculturelow-input-agricultureconservation-agriculturesustainable-food-systemshealthy-dietssustainable-consumption-and-productionSustainable-Development-GoalsAgenda-2030Paris-AgreementConvention-on-Biological-DiversityIPBESIPCCFAOWHOUNEPUNDPWorld-BankCGIARnational-agricultural-research-systemsuniversitiesmuseumsherbariabotanical-gardenszoosaquariaarboretaseed-banksgene-banksculture-collectionsmicrobial-resource-centersbiorepositoriescryobanksdigital-repositoriesdata-banksknowledge-banksinformation-systemsdatabasesportalsnetworkspartnershipsalliancescoalitionsmovementscampaignsadvocacyactivismpublic-awarenesseducation-for-sustainable-developmentlifelong-learningcapacity-buildingprofessional-developmenttrainingmentoringcoachingleadershipmanagemententrepreneurshipinnovationcreativitycritical-thinkingproblem-solvingcommunicationteamworkinterdisciplinarymultidisciplinarytransdisciplinarycross-sectoralmulti-stakeholderinclusiveparticipatorybottom-uptop-downhybridadaptiveagileresilientrobustflexibleresponsiveanticipatorytransformativeempoweringenablingsupportivefacilitatingmediatingbrokeringtranslatingsynthesizingintegratingharmonizingbalancingnegotiatingconflict-resolutionpeace-buildingtrust-buildingrelationship-buildingnetwork-buildingcommunity-buildinginstitution-buildingcapacity-strengtheningsystem-strengtheninggovernance-improvementpolicy-reformlegal-reformregulatory-reformincentive-reformmarket-reformfinancial-reforminvestment-reforminnovation-reformeducation-reformresearch-reformextension-reformadvisory-reformservice-reforminfrastructure-developmenttechnology-developmentproduct-developmentprocess-developmentbusiness-developmentmarket-developmentvalue-chain-developmentsector-developmentterritorial-developmentrural-developmenturban-developmentregional-developmentnational-developmentinternational-developmentglobal-developmentsustainable-developmenthuman-developmentsocial-developmenteconomic-developmentenvironmental-developmentcultural-developmentpolitical-developmentinstitutional-developmentorganizational-developmentpersonal-developmentcareer-developmentleadership-developmentnetwork-developmentpartnership-developmentalliance-developmentcoalition-developmentmovement-developmentcampaign-developmentadvocacy-developmentawareness-raisingeducation-and-traininginformation-and-communicationknowledge-managementlearning-and-innovationresearch-and-developmentextension-and-advisorymarket-and-value-chainpolicy-and-governancefinance-and-investmentinfrastructure-and-technologyinstitutions-and-organizationshuman-resources-and-capacitiessocial-capital-and-networksnatural-capital-and-ecosystemsphysical-capital-and-infrastructurefinancial-capital-and-marketsintellectual-capital-and-knowledgecultural-capital-and-heritagepolitical-capital-and-governancesymbolic-capital-and-reputationassets-and-resourcescapabilities-and-competenciesopportunities-and-challengesdrivers-and-barriersenablers-and-constraintsincentives-and-disincentivesrisks-and-uncertaintiestrade-offs-and-synergiescosts-and-benefitsimpacts-and-outcomesinputs-and-outputsactivities-and-processesmechanisms-and-pathwayscontexts-and-conditionsscales-and-levelsdimensions-and-perspectivesactors-and-stakeholdersinterests-and-valuespower-and-politicsnarratives-and-discoursesframes-and-lensesmodels-and-theoriesconcepts-and-constructsparadigms-and-worldviewsepistemologies-and-ontologiesmethodologies-and-methodstools-and-techniquesapproaches-and-strategiestactics-and-operationsplans-and-programsprojects-and-interventionsinitiatives-and-activitiesactions-and-measurespolicies-and-regulationslaws-and-standardsguidelines-and-protocolsbest-practiceslessons-learnedsuccess-storiesfailure-storiescase-studiespilotsdemonstrationsexperimentstrialsevaluationsassessmentsreviewssynthesesmeta-analysessystematic-reviewsevidence-mapsknowledge-gapsresearch-prioritiesagenda-settingfundingresource-mobilizationallocationutilizationaccountabilitytransparencyintegrityresponsibilityadaptationmitigationtransformationimprovementprogressgrowthchangecontinuitystabilitydisruptionemergencecomplexityuncertaintyambiguitypluralityinclusionfairnesscaresolidaritycooperationcompetitionconflictconsensusdissentdeliberationdialoguedebatediscussionnegotiationmediationarbitrationadjudicationlitigationlegislationregulationimplementationenforcementcompliancereportingverificationcertificationaccreditationstandardizationharmonizationintegrationcoordinationcoherenceconsistencycompatibilitycomplementaritysynergyalignmentfitmatchbalancetrade-offoptimizationmaximizationminimizationsatisfactionsufficiencyeffectivenessefficacyperformanceproductivityprofitabilityviabilityfeasibilitydesirabilityacceptabilitylegitimacycredibilityreliabilityqualityexcellencedistinctionrecognitionreputationprestigeinfluenceimpactlegacyheritagetraditioncultureidentitybelongingattachmentcommitmentengagementparticipationinvolvementownershipempowermentautonomyagencycapacitycapabilitycompetenceskillexpertiseknowledgewisdominsightunderstandingawarenessconsciousnessmindfulnessattentionfocusconcentrationintentionpurposemeaningsignificanceworthmeritvirtuegoodnessbeautytruthgoodrightjustfairequitablesustainableinnovativecreativecriticalreflectiveresponsibleaccountabletransparentethicalintegralholisticsystemicdynamiccomplexuncertainambiguousdiversepluralcollaborativecooperativecompetitiveconflictingconsensualdeliberativedialogicaldemocraticautocratichierarchicalnetworkeddecentralizeddistributedlocalizedglobalizedstandardizedharmonizedintegratedcoordinatedalignedbalancedoptimizedsatisficingsufficientefficienteffectiveefficaciousperformantproductiveprofitableviablefeasibledesirableacceptablelegitimatecrediblereliablevalidhigh-qualityexcellentdistinctiverecognizedreputableprestigiousinfluentialimpactfulenduringmeaningfulsignificantvaluableworthymeritoriousvirtuousbeautifultruemorallegalauthorizedapprovedsanctionedendorsedsupportedfundedresourcedstaffedequippedenabledempoweredcapacitatedskilledtrainededucatedinformedawareconsciousmindfulattentivefocusedintentionalpurposefulNeolecanium
Neolecanium is a genus of soft scale insects (family Coccidae) established by Parrott in 1901. The genus includes species that are pests of woody plants, notably magnolia scale (Neolecanium cornuparvum), which is monitored by the USA National Phenology Network for phenology-based pest management. Like other soft scales, members of this genus possess a waxy protective covering and feed on plant phloem. The genus is included in the Pheno Forecast program, which uses heat accumulation models to predict insect development and optimize control timing.
Parthenolecanium
soft scales, lecanium scales
Parthenolecanium is a genus of soft scale insects in the family Coccidae. These hemipterans are dome-shaped, sap-feeding pests of woody plants including oaks, fruit trees, and grapevines. Several species are significant urban tree pests, notably P. quercifex (oak lecanium scale) and P. corni (European fruit lecanium scale). The genus exhibits variation in reproductive mode: some species reproduce by parthenogenesis, while P. corni reproduces sexually (gamogenesis). Many species have been documented as vectors of grapevine viruses.
Parthenolecanium quercifex
oak lecanium scale
Parthenolecanium quercifex, commonly known as the oak lecanium scale, is a native soft scale insect in the family Coccidae. Adult females are hemispherical, 4–7 mm long, and light to dark brown or gray with lateral humps. The species is prevalent in the eastern United States, primarily infesting oak trees but occasionally found on hickory and birch. It has one annual generation, with eggs laid in late May to June and crawlers hatching in June to early July. Heavy infestations can cause stunted foliage, chlorosis, twig death, and dieback, while moderate populations may support beneficial natural enemies.
Phalacrococcus
Phalacrococcus is a genus of soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae) established in 2010. The genus contains at least one exotic species, Phalacrococcus howertoni, which has been documented in Florida. As a member of the Coccidae family, these insects are sessile, sap-feeding pests that produce protective waxy coverings.
Phalacrococcus howertoni
Croton Scale
Phalacrococcus howertoni is a soft scale insect in the family Coccidae, described by Hodges and Hodgson in 2010. The species has been documented in Florida and is known by the common name Croton Scale. As a member of the Coccidae, it possesses the protective waxy covering characteristic of soft scales.
Prococcus acutissimus
banana-shaped scale
Prococcus acutissimus is a soft scale insect (family Coccidae) originally described from Sri Lanka in 1896. It is commonly known as the banana-shaped scale, reflecting its distinctive body form. The species has become widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, with records spanning the Indo-Pacific, Africa, the Caribbean, and North America. It is associated with diverse host plants and has been observed on agricultural crops, though specific economic impacts remain poorly documented.
Pseudokermes
Pseudokermes is a genus of scale insects in the family Coccidae, first described by Cockerell in 1895. These insects are soft scales that feed on plant sap. The genus is part of the diverse Coccidae family, which contains many economically significant agricultural pests. Species within Pseudokermes are relatively poorly documented compared to other coccid genera.
Pulvinaria acericola
Cottony Maple Leaf Scale
Pulvinaria acericola, commonly known as the Cottony Maple Leaf Scale, is a soft scale insect (family Coccidae) native to North America. Like other Pulvinaria species, the adult female produces a conspicuous white, cottony ovisac that houses eggs. The species is associated with maple and other woody plants, where nymphs and adults feed on phloem sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. Heavy infestations can lead to honeydew accumulation and subsequent sooty mold growth.
Pulvinaria floccifera
Cottony Camellia Scale, Cottony Yew Scale, Cottony Taxus Scale
Pulvinaria floccifera is a soft scale insect (Coccidae) known for producing conspicuous white, cottony ovisacs that cover eggs. It is a significant pest of woody ornamentals including camellia, holly, yew, and tea plants. The species has a broad global distribution spanning temperate and subtropical regions. Females are sessile and wingless, while males develop wings for mating. Heavy infestations produce honeydew that supports sooty mold growth, reducing plant vigor and aesthetic value.
Pulvinaria innumerabilis
Cottony Maple Scale
A soft scale insect (family Coccidae) commonly known as the cottony maple scale. Adult females are small, flattened, and brown, approximately 3 mm in length. Mature females produce conspicuous white, cottony ovisacs containing up to 1,500 eggs. The species is frequently found on maple trees, particularly silver maple (Acer saccharinum), but has been recorded on numerous other woody plants. Heavy infestations can cause aesthetic damage and minor physiological stress to host plants, though established trees typically tolerate infestations well.
Saissetia coffeae
hemispherical scale, helmet scale, coffee brown scale
Saissetia coffeae is a polyphagous soft scale insect (Coccidae) with a cosmopolitan tropical and subtropical distribution. Adults are sessile, hemispherical, and helmet-shaped, ranging 2–4.5 mm in diameter depending on host plant. The species reproduces parthenogenetically; all individuals are female. It is a significant agricultural pest of coffee, citrus, avocado, fig, guava, and numerous ornamental plants, causing damage through phloem sap feeding and honeydew secretion that promotes sooty mold growth. Multiple parasitoid wasps and predatory insects are associated with natural population regulation.
Toumeyella liriodendri
tuliptree scale
Toumeyella liriodendri, the tuliptree scale, is a soft scale insect (Coccidae) native to North America and specialized on Liriodendron tulipifera (tuliptree or yellow-poplar). This univoltine species overwinters as second-instar nymphs on twigs, matures to adults in spring, and produces eggs that hatch into crawlers in early summer. First-instar nymphs feed on leaf undersides before migrating back to twigs in autumn. Males are unknown; reproduction is presumed parthenogenetic. Heavy infestations cause branch dieback, reduced growth, and honeydew production that supports sooty mold growth. The species has been the subject of recent genomic research, with a 536Mb genome assembly revealing it as an early-diverging soft scale with 17 chromosomes.
Toumeyella mirabilis
Toumeyella mirabilis is a soft scale insect in the family Coccidae, described by Cockerell in 1895. As a member of the genus Toumeyella, it shares characteristics with other soft scales that feed on plant vascular fluids and produce honeydew. The species occurs in North and Middle America, with records from the United States and Mexico. Like related species in the genus, it likely exhibits typical soft scale biology with sedentary adult females and mobile crawler nymphs.
Toumeyella pini
Striped Pine Scale
Toumeyella pini, commonly known as the Striped Pine Scale, is a soft scale insect native to North America. It is a significant pest of pine trees, particularly two- and three-needle pine species. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in both morphology and feeding location: females are larger, highly convex, and develop on terminal twigs, while males are smaller, more elongate, and develop on needles. The species secretes copious honeydew, which attracts ants, wasps, bees, and flies, and can lead to sooty mold growth that inhibits photosynthesis. In southern Georgia, it completes three generations per year, with crawler activity peaking in May, mid-July to early August, and late October to early November.