California Red Scale vs Putnam's Cicada
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | California Red Scale | Putnam's Cicada |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aonidiella aurantii | Platypedia putnami |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Diaspididae | Cicadidae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm diameter | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide citrus-growing regions | North 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.
Did You Know?
The parasitoid wasp Aphytis melinus is mass-reared by the billions to control this scale in California citrus orchards.
Putnam's Cicada
A small, dark cicada found in arid pinyon-juniper woodlands of the western US. It produces quiet clicks rather than the loud buzzing of typical cicadas.
Did You Know?
Instead of singing, males attract females by tapping their wings together to produce soft clicking sounds.