California Red Scale vs Eighty-eight Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute California Red Scale Eighty-eight Butterfly
Scientific Name Aonidiella aurantii Diaethria clymena
Order Hemiptera Lepidoptera
Family Diaspididae Nymphalidae
Size 1.5-2 mm diameter Wingspan 30-40mm
Habitat Orchards Forests
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Worldwide citrus-growing regions South America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

California Red Scale

A circular reddish-brown armored scale insect that infests citrus bark, leaves, and fruit. Heavy infestations can kill branches and render fruit unmarketable.

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Did You Know?

The parasitoid wasp Aphytis melinus is mass-reared by the billions to control this scale in California citrus orchards.

Eighty-eight Butterfly

A small butterfly with striking black and white markings on its underwings that clearly spell out the number 88 or 89.

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Did You Know?

The number 88 pattern on its wings is so precise that it appears to have been printed making it one of the most photographed butterflies.