Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults: phytophagous
Immatures: phytophagous

North American
Species: 750

Homoptera Coccoidea (Superfamily)
Scale insects

Special Characteristics: 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.

Comments: 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.

Species:
Saissetia oleae (Bernard) (family Coccidae)

Common Name:
Black scale

Feeding Habits: The adults and the immatures feed on citrus.

Distribution:
Southern United States