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

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

• Pest Identification and Diagnosis Publication | University of Florida IFAS Extension
• Fact Sheet | University of Minnesota Extension
• Species Catalog on ScaleNet
  Complete list of all recorded natural enemies, hosts, and distribution records; also an index to all publications on this species

Articles

• Ray, C. H. and M. L. Williams. 1981. Redescription and lectotype designation of the tessellated scale, Eucalymnatus tessellatus (Signoret) (Homoptera: Coccidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 83: 230-244. (provides descriptions of three immature stages and adult female, a key for the separation of instars, a list of hosts, and information on the distribution)