Sooty-mold
Guides
Acanthococcus azaleae
Azalea Bark Scale
Acanthococcus azaleae, commonly known as the azalea bark scale, is a felt scale insect in the family Eriococcidae. It is native to Asia and has been introduced to North America, Europe, and other regions through global trade. The species feeds on azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) and related ericaceous plants, forming white, felt-like coverings on bark. It was initially confused with the invasive crapemyrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae), which was first identified in Texas in 2004 and later determined to be a distinct species. The azalea bark scale produces honeydew that supports sooty mold growth and can cause branch dieback in heavy infestations.
Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae
crapemyrtle bark scale, CMBS
Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae, commonly called crapemyrtle bark scale or CMBS, is an invasive felt scale insect native to East Asia. First detected in the United States near Dallas, Texas in 2004, it has since spread to at least 17 states across the Southeast and Middle Atlantic regions. This phloem-feeding pest primarily infests crapemyrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.), forming distinctive white, felt-like coverings on trunks and branches. Heavy infestations cause branch dieback, reduce flowering, and promote black sooty mold growth through honeydew excretion. The scale has also been confirmed on alternative hosts including American beautyberry, pomegranate, apple, and spirea.
Ceroplastes
wax scales
Ceroplastes is a genus of wax scales in the family Coccidae, comprising more than 130 described species. These insects are characterized by the conspicuous white, waxy coverings they secrete, which protect their soft bodies. Adults are largely sessile and feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. Many species are economically significant pests of ornamental plants, fruit trees, and shrubs. The genus exhibits parthenogenesis in many species, with females reproducing without males. Climate change has facilitated the northward expansion of several species from southern regions into previously cooler areas.
Ceroplastes cirripediformis
barnacle scale, barnacle wax scale
Ceroplastes cirripediformis, commonly known as the barnacle scale or barnacle wax scale, is a soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccidae) recognized for its distinctive waxy covering that resembles a small barnacle. It is a destructive invasive pest with a broad host range spanning numerous plant families. The species has expanded its range globally through human-mediated transport and climate change, with established populations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Females reproduce parthenogenetically, producing up to a thousand eggs annually without observed males in wild populations.
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 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.
Dialeurodes citri
Citrus Whitefly
Dialeurodes citri, the citrus whitefly, is a polyphagous pest native to Southeast Asia that has become established in citrus-growing regions worldwide. Adults and immature stages feed on phloem sap, secreting honeydew that promotes sooty mold growth. The species completes 2–3 generations annually in most regions, with development arrested in the fourth instar during cooler months. It is distinguished from the similar Parabemisia myricae by its larger size, preference for fully developed leaves, and slower life cycle.
Eriococcus
felt scales, bark scales
Eriococcus is a genus of felt scales (bark scales) in the family Eriococcidae, order Hemiptera. These insects are characterized by producing white, felt-like waxy coverings over their bodies. Some species, such as Eriococcus lagerstroemiae (crapemyrtle bark scale), are significant invasive pests of ornamental plants, while others like E. spurius damage American elm trees. The taxonomy of Eriococcidae remains debated, with some authorities placing these species in Acanthococcidae.
Grylloprociphilus imbricator
Beech Blight Aphid, Woolly Beech Aphid, Boogie-Woogie Aphid
Grylloprociphilus imbricator, commonly known as the beech blight aphid or boogie-woogie aphid, is a small sap-feeding insect in the family Aphididae. It forms dense colonies on American beech trees (Fagus grandifolia), covering branches with thick blankets of fluffy white wax produced from specialized abdominal glands. The species exhibits a complex life cycle involving both beech and cypress hosts, with parthenogenetic reproduction on beech and root-feeding stages on cypress. When disturbed, colonies perform a distinctive synchronized swaying behavior that gives rise to their common name.
Metcalfa
Metcalfa is a genus of planthoppers in the family Flatidae, tribe Nephesini, native to North and Central America. The genus contains at least five described species, with Metcalfa pruinosa (citrus flatid planthopper) being the most economically significant due to its invasive spread to Europe and Asia. Adults are small, ranging 5.5–8 mm in length with a waxy, often bluish or grayish appearance. The genus is characterized by forewings with parallel cross-veins along the costal margin, distinguishing it from related families.
Ormenaria rufifascia
Palm Flatid Planthopper
Ormenaria rufifascia is a flatid planthopper commonly found on palms in Florida and parts of the Caribbean. Adults and nymphs are visually conspicuous. Dense populations produce honeydew, which can lead to extensive sooty mold growth on host plants, causing aesthetic damage even though the insect is usually not a serious pest.
Paraleyrodes
nesting whiteflies, Bondar's nesting whitefly (for P. bondari), fig whitefly (for P. minei)
Paraleyrodes is a genus of whiteflies in the subfamily Aleurodicinae, commonly known as nesting whiteflies due to the woolly wax nests constructed by females around egg masses. The genus includes economically significant invasive species such as P. bondari (Bondar's nesting whitefly) and P. minei, which are pests of coconut, citrus, fig, avocado, and ornamental plants. Species in this genus are characterized by distinctive waxy secretions, sessile nymphal stages, and polyphagous feeding habits on woody plants.
whiteflyinvasive-pestagricultural-pestornamental-pestAleurodicinaecoconut-pestcitrus-pestfig-pestavocado-pestwoolly-wax-nestspolyphagousphloem-feederhoneydew-producersooty-moldFlorida-pestCalifornia-pestIndia-pestBangladesh-pestCroatia-pestGreece-pestnatural-enemiesbiological-controlintegrated-pest-managementPetrusa
Petrusa is a genus of planthoppers in the family Flatidae, subfamily Flatinae. Members of this genus are found in the Neotropical region, with Petrusa epilepsis being a notable species associated with seagrape and other host plants in the Caribbean. The genus is characterized by the typical flatid morphology with wings held tent-like over the body and parallel cross-veins along the costal margin of the forewings.
Petrusa epilepsis
Sea Grape Flatid
Petrusa epilepsis, commonly known as the Sea Grape Flatid, is a planthopper in the family Flatidae native to the Caribbean region. Adults are covered in a distinctive frosty, white waxy coating and hold their wings in a tent-like posture characteristic of the subfamily Flatinae. The species feeds on multiple host plants including seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera), coffee, coco-plum, jasmine, and black mangrove, and has been recorded as a pest causing direct feeding damage and promoting sooty mold growth through honeydew excretion. Originally described from Puerto Rico, it has been documented across the West Indies and has been detected in Florida, raising concerns about its potential to become an invasive pest in mainland tropical and subtropical regions.
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.
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.
Sarucallis
crape myrtle aphid
Sarucallis is a monotypic genus of aphids in the family Aphididae. The sole described species, Sarucallis kahawaluokalani, is commonly known as the crape myrtle aphid. Adults measure 1.2 to 1.8 millimeters in body length. The genus is native to Asia and has become widely distributed globally through the ornamental plant trade, tracking the spread of its host plant, crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.).
Sarucallis kahawaluokalani
Crapemyrtle Aphid
Sarucallis kahawaluokalani, the crapemyrtle aphid, is a specialist phloem-feeding pest native to Southeast Asia and first described from Hawaii in 1907. It has spread globally through the ornamental plant trade, closely tracking the distribution of its host plant Lagerstroemia spp. The species exhibits complex life cycle alternation between asexual summer generations and sexual autumn generations producing overwintering eggs. Heavy infestations cause aesthetic and physiological damage through honeydew production and associated sooty mold growth.
Tetraleurodes
whitefly
Tetraleurodes is a genus of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) containing multiple species associated with woody plants in the Americas. Species such as T. perseae and T. ursorum are recognized as agricultural pests of avocado and citrus respectively. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing patterns in adults and waxy secretions produced by nymphs. Multiple Eretmocerus species (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) have been documented as parasitoids of Tetraleurodes in Mexico.
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.