Scale insects are small insects of the order Hemiptera, suborder Sternorrhyncha. Of dramatically variable appearance and extreme sexual dimorphism, they comprise the infraorder Coccomorpha which is considered a more convenient grouping than the superfamily Coccoidea due to taxonomic uncertainties.

Oct 10, 2024 · Just like aphids, thrips, and spider mites, scale insects have host plants particular to their type. Because they can do a lot of damage quickly, it’s important to control scale insects in your garden or indoors on your houseplants. Infested plants need assistance as soon as possible.

Sep 13, 2024 · Scale on plants sounds like and looks like a plant disease, but "scale" refers to an infestation by any one of over 8,000 species of tiny, sap-sucking insects. Scale insects typically adhere to the stems, branches, and sometimes leaves of plants to feed on sap.

Mar 4, 2025 · Scale insects are tiny bugs that vary widely in appearance and look more like a blemish on a plant’s foliage than an insect. The adult females are immobile, and the nymphs, called crawlers, don’t move far from where they hatched. Only the males are genuinely mobile, flying around to find a mate.

Homoptera or scale insects are types of small insects that live and feed on sugar-rich plant sap. They need the sap for the amino acids in it and they can overcrowd certain plants when hungry. Scale insects move using short legs. Some scale insects have wings that may be used for flying.

Scale insect, any member of several families of insects (order Homoptera) that have a body covered by a protective waxy shell, often resembling scales or cottony cushions. The waxy covering is secreted by the insect after it settles on the plant where it will feed.

Scale insects are often overlooked because they are immobile and look like small bumps that just might be plant parts. Learn more about this group of inconspicuous and atypical insects in this article…

Jul 24, 2021 · Scale insects can threaten gardens, often attracting ants and sooty mold. Learn how to identify, prevent, and control these pests now on Gardener's Path.

Oct 13, 2023 · Scale insects are small, round or oval, and have a shell-like cover. They can be white, brown, or other colors depending on the species. Identifying scale insects requires a close examination of their physical features. Here are some key characteristics to look for: Shape: round or oval; Cover: shell-like and can be white, brown, or other colors

Scale insects are sap-feeding insects named for the scale or shell-like waxy covering that conceals their bodies. In Iowa, most species of shade trees, fruit trees, and ornamental shrubs are subject to scale insect attacks.