Page 14 - AG 7-2011 Revised 2016

European Elm Scale COTTONY CUSHION SCALE
on Chinese Elm

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna- underneath prosoma 6.Thorax- body is oval Cottony Cushion Scale
2.Eyes- underneath prosoma 7.Petiole- none
3.Head- attached to thorax w/stylet 8.Abdomen- attached to thorax region 6
4.Legs- 6, on crawlers 9.Color- various colors
5.Wings- wings on male only 10.Other- lives short life span 4

Life Cycle Photo Courtesy of Univar
Most of the hard scales have several generations per year, but most soft
scales have only one. Eggs of both hatch into tiny crawlers with legs.
The hard scale crawlers settle down the quickest, soft scale crawlers
may move around for several days. The life cycles vary among the
different kinds of scales.

Scale insects are tiny; many are under 1/8th of an inch. They are a serious pest, attaching to plants
and penetrating deeply into the tissue with long sucking mouthparts. They remain attached to the one
spot throughout their adult life. Males are actually rarely seen since they are so small--it is the females
that are readily noticed. There are two basic types--those with hard armored scales to protect them
from their enemies, and those with soft bodies. The soft-bodied scales often excrete a powdery white
waxy substance. There are many scales; the following are some of the more prevalent pests, divided
between the hard and soft types.

SOFT SCALES:

COTTONY CUSHION SCALE
This fluted scale first attacked the Southern California citrus industry in the late 1860’s.

The industry was almost wiped out until the Vedalia Beetle (similar to the Lady Bug) was
introduced. The beetle has a great appetite for this scale, which is now in check. This reddish-
brown scale also finds other plants as acceptable hosts.
BROWN SOFT SCALE

As the name states, this is one of the “soft” scales. The body has many tiny brown spots
which seem to blend together. It is a general feeder, and attaches to just about any plants,
shrubs, and trees including citrus. It is oval and very flat in shape.
EUROPEAN ELM SCALE

This scale has a reddish-brown body, and is another of the “soft” scales. It especially
attacks elm trees, leaving a sooty fungus mess underneath the infected tree. It attaches to the
underside of tree limbs, and is especially abundant in late spring.

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