×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Scale Insects (Various spp.)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Scale Insects


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/2
Image Credit: Alex -icycatelf- Bowen
Full-sized image of the Scale-Insects Thumbnail image of the Scale-Insects
2/2
Image Credit: Alex -icycatelf- Bowen
Full-sized image #2 of the Scale-Insects Thumbnail image #2 of the Scale-Insects

Scale insects seem cemented to tree branches and this immobility makes them unusual among most insects.



Updated: 01/05/2022; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Scale insects are often overlooked because many do not look like typical bugs. While males resemble flies and have legs and wings, females become stationary on tree bark or branches and lose their legs and eyes by reabsorbing them. They grow a waxy covering that gives some species a protective shell. Some are shaped like tiny, headless turtles. Others may look like they are covered in white fluff or powder. These immobile females feed by tapping into the tree or host plant using a long needle-like mouthpart and sucking out plant juices. Some species of scale do not require males to reproduce, using parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction, to create offspring instead.

Some species of scale are beneficial for chemicals that they produce that can be collected and used as dyes and wood finishing. Some feed on invasive plants, reducing their health and ability to spread. There are a variety of reasons why scale insects are considered undesirable, too. Their feeding habit can deplete a plant of vital resources on plant, weakening overall health. A few species of scale are tremendous crop pests. In addition, scale insects excrete a sweet, sticky substance called honeydew. The sweetness of it attracts ants. It also creates a perfect environment for a fungus to grow called sooty mold. This fungus is black and powdery, and notorious for coating stems and leaves, hindering photosynthesis, and causing affected areas to turn yellow. This makes the plant look sick and/or unattractive. The black sooty substance also falls onto pavement and cars beneath it.

Scale insects use all sorts of plants as hosts, and many species are plant specific, choosing to only live and reproduce on one type of plant. Trees, shrubs, ornamental house plants and flowering plants can all host scale. They are often seen on the underside of leaves and on tree branches. Dead ones remain on branches and their dried, waxy coating may easily come off when rubbed. Live ones are like little barnacles, clinging to the substrate. The best time to control scale populations is when they are still crawling and susceptible to treatments and removal, but pruning off branches and leaves after they have settled also helps reduce their numbers and impact. Natural controls include parasitic wasps and lady beetles.©InsectIdentification.org


Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Hemiptera
        Family: Diaspididae
View More
          Genus: Various
View More
            Species: spp.

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Various spp.
Category: No Category
Size (Adult; Length): 1mm to 2mm (0.03" to 0.07")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: black; white; orange; green; yellow; red; brown
Descriptors: turtle; shell; powder; white; waxy; frilly; cotton; small; stuck on; hard; armor; soft; squishy


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 1mm (0.0in) and 2mm (0.1in)
Lo: 1mm
Md: 1.5mm
Hi: 2mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Scale Insects may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Scale Insects. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede JoroSpider.org

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)