Armored scales

Scientific name:
(Homoptera: Diaspididae)about 300 species in North America

Facts: Females of this family are very small and conceal their bodies with a hard covering formed by wax secreted by the insect and cast skins from earlier instars. The shape of the covering is characteristic of the species and they may be circular or elongate, smooth or rough and variable in color. Female bodies are flattened and disklike with neither eyes nor legs. Males are winged and have well developed legs and antennae.

Armored scales include several very important pest species like the San Jose scale, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock)which is pictured here. It is a serious pests in orchard trees, shade trees and ornamental plants. Armored scales usually feed on woody plants.

Photo credit: C. L. Cole