Ceroplastes

Ceroplastes
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Pancrustacea
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Sternorrhyncha
Family: Coccidae
Genus: Ceroplastes
Gray, 1828
Diversity
At least 130 species

Ceroplastes is a genus of wax scales in the family Coccidae. There are more than 130 described species in Ceroplastes.[1][2][3][4]

Description

Ceroplastes spp. are hemispherical in shape and covered in a thick layer of wax, from which they derive the common name "wax scales".[5] The consistency and thickness of this wax varies among species.[6] Adult females have waxy ridges and white- or dark-coloured speckles or indentations.[7] They range from 1/12 to 1/3 inch long.[7]

Eggs are a pale purple colour, oval in shape and laid under the mother's waxy covering. Eggs hatch into first-instar nymphs, also known as crawlers for their functional legs. These find a location on the host plant to settle, insert their mouthparts and moult into the second instar.[8]

In female individuals, the second and third instars secrete wax to form a covering, and they hardly move from that spot afterwards. Third-instar nymphs moult again into adult females.[8]

In males, the third-instar nymph instead moults into a prepupal instar, then a pupal instar, and finally into the adult. Males are only found in some species of Ceroplastes, with others lacking males.[9]

Pest status

Nymphs and adult females feed on the phloem of their host plants. In severe infestations, they can cause leaf discolouration, leaf drop, branch dieback and even plant death. Infested plants may appear black due to sooty mold, which grows on honeydew secreted by wax scales.[8]

Several species of Ceroplastes are pests that have been introduced widely, including C. ceriferus, C. floridensis, C. japonicus and C. rubens.[5] These feed on a range of plants including apple, citrus, holly (Ilex spp.), kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.), lychee, peach, pear, persimmon, plum, quince and tea.[5][8][10][11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Ceroplastes Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
  2. ↑ "Ceroplastes". GBIF. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
  3. ↑ Favret, Colin (2019). "Aphid species file online, Version 5.0". Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  4. 1 2 3 Pfeiffer, Douglas G. (1997). "Deciduous Fruit Trees". Soft Scale Insects their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control. World Crop Pests Vol. 7B. Elsevier. pp. 293–322. doi:10.1016/s1572-4379(97)80091-7. ISBN 978-0-444-82843-9.
  5. ↑ "Ceroplastes Gray, 1828 (Coccidae)". ScaleNet. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
  6. 1 2 "Wax Scales". ipm.ucanr.edu. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Joseph, Shimat V. (2023-09-26). "Wax Scale: Biology and Management | Turf and Ornamental Pest Management". site.caes.uga.edu. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
  8. ↑ Snowball, G. J. (1970). "CEROPLASTES SINENSIS DEL GUERCIO (HOMOPTERA: COCCIDAE), A WAX SCALE NEW TO AUSTRALIA". Australian Journal of Entomology. 9 (1): 57–66. doi:10.1111/j.1440-6055.1970.tb00771.x. ISSN 1326-6756.
  9. ↑ Greathead, David J. (1997), "Tea", Soft Scale Insects their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control, World Crop Pests Vol. 7B, Elsevier, pp. 387–392, doi:10.1016/s1572-4379(97)80099-1, ISBN 978-0-444-82843-9
  10. ↑ Swirski, Eliahu; Ben-Dov, Yair; Wysoki, Manes (1997), "Other Subtropical Fruit Trees", Soft Scale Insects their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control, World Crop Pests Vol. 7B, Elsevier, pp. 271–292, doi:10.1016/s1572-4379(97)80090-5, ISBN 978-0-444-82843-9
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