Cottony Cushion Scale vs Black-kneed Capsid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cottony Cushion Scale | Black-kneed Capsid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Icerya purchasi | Blepharidopterus angulatus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Monophlebidae | Miridae |
| Size | 5-8 mm including egg sac | 5-6 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Orchards |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Originally Australia, now cosmopolitan | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cottony Cushion Scale
A scale insect with a distinctive white fluted egg sac that devastated California's citrus industry in the 1880s. Its control by vedalia beetles was the first major success of biological pest control.
Did You Know?
The introduction of vedalia ladybirds to control it in 1889 saved the California citrus industry from collapse.
Black-kneed Capsid
A slender, pale green mirid bug with distinctive black knee joints. It is a beneficial predator found in European apple orchards where it feeds on red spider mites. It is one of the most important natural enemies of fruit tree red spider mite.
Did You Know?
A single individual can consume over 100 spider mites per day, making it so effective that some orchardists manage their spraying programs to conserve this natural predator.