Forest Bug vs California Red Scale
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Forest Bug | California Red Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pentatoma rufipes | Aonidiella aurantii |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Pentatomidae | Diaspididae |
| Size | 13-16 mm | 1.5-2 mm diameter |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Orchards |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Worldwide citrus-growing regions |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Forest Bug
A large European shield bug with distinctive red-orange legs and a small tooth on each shoulder. It is arboreal and common on deciduous trees.
Did You Know?
Despite being mainly herbivorous, it occasionally turns predatory and feeds on caterpillars and other soft insects.
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.