Forest Pest Insects in North America: a Photographic Guide

Tessellated scale

Eucalymnatus tessellatus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Coccidae)

Orientation to pest

Tessellated scale, Eucalymnatus tessellatus (Signoret), occurs as an invasive species in the southern United States and parts of Africa, Australia, Asia and Europe. It is believed to be native to South America, The adult female is oval or pear-shaped and in color is reddish to dark brown. There are one or two generations per year. All scales are female and give birth directly to crawlers through egg retention.

Hosts commonly attacked

Tessellated scale has an extremely broad host range, attacking more than 50 families of plants, including many monocots and dicots used as ornamentals or as fruit trees. Common host plants include palms, figs, and mango (Mangifera indica L.).

Distribution

In the United States, this scale is found outdoors in various southern states, particularly Florida. In northern areas, the scale is found in greenhouses.

Images of tessellated scale

Closer view of a single adult of tessellated scale United States National Collection of Scale Insects Photographs Archive, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org 768x512
Figure 1. Closer view of a single adult of tessellated scale

Important biological control agents related to this pest species

The parasitic wasp Metaphycus stanleyi Compere is a natural enemy of tessellated scale.

Web links for information on tessellated scale

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