Cottony Cushion Scale vs Planthopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cottony Cushion Scale | Planthopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Icerya purchasi | Flatida rosea |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Monophlebidae | Flatidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm including egg sac | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Underground |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Originally Australia, now cosmopolitan | Africa |
| 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.
Planthopper
A delicate, pinkish-white planthopper that closely resembles a flower petal when resting on vegetation. Nymphs produce waxy white filaments from their abdomens.
Did You Know?
When a group of these pink planthoppers cluster together on a branch, they collectively resemble a flower cluster, creating a communal camouflage display.