There are two primary types of scale insects: armored and soft. Armored scales are covered in a hard protective shell that protects them from the elements.
They also tend to feed more on outdoor plants and produce three to four generations a year.
The latter is more common indoors and is characterized by a waxy, yellowish protective layer.
The armored scales are not harmful to humans but can cause damage to your plants.
Mealybug
The first type of scale insect is the mealybug. These are the easiest to kill, as they do not have a protective wax coating or hard shell.
They also reproduce quickly. To eliminate these pests, you should use an integrated pest management strategy. You can use horticultural oils, such as Bonide All-Seasons Hort Oil, to smother them.
This is effective in killing all life stages of scale bugs.
Female scales remain stationary under a shield-like scale for several days, then lay their eggs under it. Once the eggs hatch, the nymphs are equipped with antennae, eyes, and legs. The nymphs are then able to walk to a new feeding location.
The feeding mouthpart of the scale is inserted into the plant to feed. After completing their feeding activity, the nymphs mature into shield-like insects.
Female scales are immobile and do not have wings. They do not have a mouthpart, but they are not able to feed.
Male scales are similar to tiny gnats. They lack antennae and legs. Some species are hemipterous or reproduce via parthenogenesis. The females lay eggs that hatch into their first instars, the crawlers. They remain in the same spot all their lives.
The hemispherical scale is brown and convex. It measures about an eighth of an inch in length. They are primarily greenhouse and houseplant pests. Some of the plants they commonly attack include avocado, begonia, and ferns.
They are difficult to control with sprays, but you can buy products that will kill them. They are usually difficult to identify because they blend in with the plant’s bark.
Scales are common pests in greenhouses and houses and can take quite a bit of time to control. However, the best way to deal with them is to prevent them from infesting your home.
Fortunately, there are two main types of scale insects: hemispherical scales and lepidopteran scales. The hemispherical scales are more common than the others but are not a problem for most plants.
Agricultural scales are the most common type. They are bright reddish-brown and have a waxy coating.
The egg sac is a white cottony tube with a white cottony coating. In some cases, the eggs are large and in the case of the San Jose scale, the egg sac is larger than the body. These scales are both agricultural pests, but they are not destructive to humans. But they may cause damage to your plants.
How many species of scale insects are there?
There are hundreds of different types of scale insects, but the life cycle varies from species to species. Some live for several years while others have only one generation per year.
You can learn more about these pests by browsing the Arbico Organics website. You can find out about the different life cycles of scales and which ones may be harmful to your plants.
These insects are best controlled by using a professional-scale insect control service.
The female scale is immobile, wingless, and lacks visible legs and antennae. The male scale is similar to a gnat but has no mouthparts. The two nymphal instars are a few weeks long.
Some species are hemiphrotic and reproduce through parthenogenesis.
The larvae of the female scale are known as crawlers, and they are very mobile when feeding. Once they settle down, they rarely move.
The adult scale insect has three general life stages: the first instar nymph, the second instar nymph, and the third instar nymph. Females are the most sensitive to control, especially the first instar nymph stage. The males of these species also develop wings and become adults. However, unlike the females, the males reproduce parthenogenetically, and the females are sedentary.
There are more than 25 species of scale insects, with the majority being found in British Gardens.
Some of these species are common, and some are even edible. You can identify them by their distinctive patterns and colors, and you can use scale insect identification products to remove the pests in your garden.
These pests are not very harmful to your plants, but they can be difficult to identify. If you’ve ever had a problem with them, there’s a chance that you’ve come across one.
The most common types of scale insects are the San Jose scale. The San José scale originated in China and is the most common among these species. They are also found in other areas, including tropical climates.
In tropical areas, they may even be found year-round. While it is very hard to identify a scale insect, you can keep an eye out for the presence of its eggs and larvae.
In the United States, the San Jose scale is the most common scale insect species. This species is the most common scale insect in the United States, with over 60 different species.
It attacks cotton, pyracantha, and cotoneaster. Its broods typically overlap in June, July, and September. These insects may be found in gardens, but they are not invasive. They are a serious nuisance.
How Do You Identify a Scale Bug?
There are several ways to identify a scale bug. They are usually one to one and a half to two inches long, though the magnolia scale can be up to half an inch long.
Although many people divide these insects into two groups based on their size, they are actually very different.
The female scales are the armored type, and the eggs are laid beneath the protective female scale cover during the winter months. The larvae hatch in spring and live in soil where they feed and develop into adults.
Another way to identify a scale insect is by its appearance. Most of these bugs are an only one-eighth inch long.
They will typically cluster together on leaves, and they are generally immobile once they’re locked in place.
This pest feeds on plant sap and can cause sooty mold on your plants. If you find a cluster of these insects, the insect has already established itself in the plant.
In order to identify a scale insect, you should first know how to differentiate between the two types. Hard scales are larger than soft ones, but they are similar in size and shape. The soft scales have a waxy shell and produce honeydew while feeding.
On the other hand, the hard scales are armored and are oblong or circular. Once you’ve identified a scale bug, you can either kill it or remove it from the plant.
If you have scales on your plant, you should treat them immediately. They love stressed plants and require more water than fast-growing ones. You can also use pruning shears to prune them off if they’re causing any problems in your garden.
Lady beetles and microscopic wasps are natural enemies of these pests and should be used as a last resort. If you can’t identify the pest, you can try a hand lens to inspect the affected areas.
If you have a scale infestation, you should treat the plant immediately. If the infestation is severe, you should kill the scales.
It may also cause your plants to yellow and die. When you’re dealing with scales, try to avoid them as much as possible.
These are very common in garden settings. If you notice them on your plants, you’ve likely found a scale infestation. If you suspect that you have a scale infestation, you should immediately dispose of it.
Conclusion
A scale bug’s life cycle begins with an egg. It has two stages. The first is a mature female that produces a waxy covering.
The second is the egg. Both stages are vital to the growth of the plant.
If you see these insects on your plants, they’re likely to be infested. They may be hiding under the female scales, so you should avoid them.