Scale Insect
Coccoidea, Coccomorpha
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameScale Insect
DescriptionScale insects are immobile pests that shield themselves under waxy covers while sucking plant sap. Identify various scale types and remove them effectively.
TypeInsect
FamilyCoccidae
GenusCoccus
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumArthropoda
SubphylumHexapoda
ClassInsecta
OrderHemiptera
Features
- Named 'scale' because their hard, waxy covering resembles fish scales or tiny shields protecting their soft bodies underneath
- Appear as small, stationary bumps (1-5 mm) on stems and leaf undersides. Can be armored (hard) or soft. Colors range from white and yellow to brown and black
- Pierce plant tissue with needle-like mouthparts to suck sap. Adults remain permanently attached to one spot on the plant
- Causes yellowing, leaf drop, and stunted growth. Soft scales produce honeydew, which leads to black sooty mold and attracts ants
- Young 'crawlers' are the mobile stage that moves to new spots. Once they settle, they build their protective scale and remain fixed
- Adults measure 1-5 mm long depending on species. Crawlers are tiny and barely visible without a magnifying lens
- Active year-round in warm climates or indoors. Crawlers are most active in late spring and early summer
- Attack a wide variety of indoor and outdoor plants, including citrus, roses, ferns, ficus, and many fruit and shade trees
- Inspect new plants thoroughly. Prune and destroy heavily infested branches. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and parasitic wasps
- Scrape off small infestations with a fingernail or toothbrush. Apply horticultural oil or neem oil during the crawler stage for best results
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificCoccoidea, Coccomorpha
English (Alternate)Shell insect, Armored scale
Hindiशल्क कीट (shalk keet)
Tamilசெதில் பூச்சி (sedhil poochi), அரக்குப்பூச்சி (arakku poochi)
Teluguపొలుసు పురుగు (polusu purugu)
Malayalamಶಲ್ക്ക ಕೀಟಂ (shalkka keedam)
Kannadaಕವಚದ ಕೀಟ (kavachada keeta)
Sanskritकार्कटीकृಮಿ (kārkaṭīkṛmi), ಶल्ककीट (śalkakīṭa)
Bengaliস্কেল ইনসেক্ট (scale insect), আঁশ পোক (ansh poka)
Frenchcochenille
Russianщитовка, червецы
Spanishcochinilla, insecto de escudo
GermanSchildlaus, Napfschildlaus
