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Identifying characteristics
Armored scale- This is the largest family of the scales insects, but
smallest in physical size, 1 to 3 mm. Females are very small and are
hidden under a scale covering not attached to insects body, but to the
plant. This covering is formed by the insects ability to secrete a waxy
substance in combination with molted skins. These scales come in a
variety
of colors and shapes. The male scales are smaller and more elongated then
the female in the immature stage. Some examples are oystershell scale,
tea scale, Florida red scale, false oleander and white magnolia scale.
Soft
scale- The females are elongated, 2 to 6 mm, oval and sometimes
flattened with a waxy covering. This covering is attached tightly to the
insects body not the plant. Antenna, legs, and mouthparts are not visible
from above, but if flipped over they can be observed with a microscope.
Soft scale excrete large mounts of honeydew; armored scales do not. Some
examples are brown soft scale, hemispherical scale, green scale, Florida
wax scale, and Japanese wax scale.
Biology
Armored
scale- The female keeps her eggs under her scale covering for
protection until immatures hatch. Once they immerge they are called
“crawlers”. This name comes from the fact that they crawl to new growth to
settle. Once a location is selected the female attaches herself to the
plant, loosing her legs in the first molting. She will remain sessile for
rest of life. The immature males will feed on plants also but then
pupates into a mobile adult. Some develop wings looking similar to flies,
while other just crawl. Neither have mouthparts
Soft scale-
The females do not
have to mate to produce progeny. This enables them to build up
populations very rapidly. Once the female has mated, or not, she layers
her eggs or gives live birth, depending on species. The crawlers then
select a site to begin feeding and complete development. While feeding, a
sticky waste substance is excreted by the scale (commonly called
honeydew). This liquid adheres to leaves and provides a medium for sooty
mold to colonize and grow on. Sooty mold is black, and eventually covers
leaves and stems. This mold inhibits infected portions of the plant from
photosynthesizing and also causes aesthetic damage.
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