European Fruit Scale vs Picromerus Predatory Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Fruit Scale Picromerus Predatory Bug
Scientific Name Parthenolecanium corni Picromerus bidens
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Coccidae Pentatomidae
Size 3-6 mm 11-14 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Sap Feeders Predators
Regions Europe, North America, Asia Europe, northern Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

European Fruit Scale

A polyphagous soft scale insect that infests fruit trees, ornamentals, and forest trees across Europe. Heavy infestations cause branch dieback.

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Did You Know?

Its domed brown scale covering makes it resemble a tiny helmet attached to the twig.

Picromerus Predatory Bug

A dark brown predatory stink bug with two prominent pronotal spines found across Europe. It is an important natural enemy of caterpillars in forests and orchards. Adults have a distinctly spiny appearance.

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Did You Know?

It hunts by gripping caterpillars many times its own weight with its strong forelegs while injecting paralyzing saliva, then draining the prey over several hours.