Diaspididae
| Vernacular names | |
|---|---|
| • Deutsch: | Deckelschildläuse Austernschildläuse |
| • English: | armoured scales |
| • Español: | diaspinos |
| • Français: | diaspidés diaspines |
Author(s): Charles Olsen, USDA APHIS PPQ
Source: IPM Images
Diaspididae - (armoured scales)
These are sessile insects under the superfamily of Coccoidea with a flat body and covered by a hard, durable shield. The antennae are absent or have no function. The family has a world-wide distribution and contains several hundred genera and more than 2,000 species. Many are plant pests.
The first instar stage, the crawlers, disperses by drifting through the air and then settles on a plant, developing its cover. The females have 2 nymphal stages and the males 4 including the prepupa and pupa. In the adult stage the females remain under the scale. They have no legs. The adult males have wings and leave the scales in search of females. They only live for 1-2 days. Sexual reproduction with the females laying eggs is the most common mode of propagation.
The following genera and individual species are currently entered under Diaspididae:
