Scale insect
(Redirected from Scale insects)
Article about scale insects
Scale insects are small insects belonging to the order Hemiptera, suborder Sternorrhyncha, and superfamily Coccoidea. They are known for their protective waxy covering and their role as agricultural pests. Scale insects are found worldwide and can infest a wide variety of plants, causing significant damage to crops and ornamental plants.
Description[edit | edit source]
Scale insects are characterized by their small size and the presence of a protective covering, which can be waxy, cottony, or hard, depending on the species. Adult females are typically immobile and attach themselves to the host plant, where they feed on plant sap. Males, on the other hand, are usually winged and short-lived.
The body of a scale insect is often flattened and oval-shaped. The protective covering, or scale, can vary in color and texture, providing camouflage against predators. The scale is secreted by the insect and serves as a defense mechanism against environmental threats and predators.
Life Cycle[edit | edit source]
Scale insects undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with life stages including egg, nymph (crawler), and adult. The eggs are laid beneath the protective scale of the female. Upon hatching, the nymphs, known as crawlers, disperse to find suitable feeding sites. Once settled, they begin to secrete their own protective covering.
The life cycle duration varies among species and is influenced by environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. Some species can produce multiple generations per year, leading to rapid population growth and increased damage to host plants.
Ecological Impact[edit | edit source]
Scale insects are significant agricultural pests, affecting a wide range of crops including citrus, grapes, and ornamentals. They feed on plant sap, which can lead to reduced vigor, yellowing of leaves, and even plant death. Additionally, the honeydew excreted by some species can lead to the growth of sooty mold, further damaging the plant.
Control Methods[edit | edit source]
Control of scale insects involves a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical methods. Cultural control includes practices such as pruning infested branches and maintaining plant health to reduce susceptibility. Biological control involves the use of natural predators such as lady beetles and parasitic wasps.
Chemical control may involve the use of insecticides, but care must be taken to minimize impact on beneficial insects and the environment. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies are often recommended to effectively manage scale insect populations.
Notable Species[edit | edit source]
Several species of scale insects are of particular concern due to their economic impact. These include the cottony cushion scale (Icerya purchasi), the San Jose scale (Quadraspidiotus perniciosus), and the armored scale insects.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD