Scale Insects

Family Coccoidae

Black scale (Saissetia oleae (family Coccidae)). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Scale insects have a complex development. The first-instar nymphs have legs and antennae and are active crawlers. After the first molt, the insects become inactive and secrete a waxy or scale-like covering. Adult females remain under the covering where they produce their eggs. Males are winged and can fly to locate females. Scale insects can often be identified by the shape of their waxy covering. Sacle insects are highly modified and do not resemble typical insects. Females are wingless with reduced antennae and legs and usually covered with a waxy shell. Males have a single pair of wings; the hind wings are reduced to small halter-like processes. Males lack mouthparts and do not feed. Females have sucking mouthparts.