Mountain Shieldbug vs San Jose Scale

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mountain Shieldbug San Jose Scale
Scientific Name Canthophorus impressus Diaspidiotus perniciosus
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Cydnidae Diaspididae
Size 4-6 mm 1-2 mm diameter
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Orchards
Diet Root Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Scandinavia, Scotland, northern Russia, alpine Europe Worldwide temperate regions
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Mountain Shieldbug

A small, dark brown to black burrowing shieldbug found in Arctic and alpine habitats. It has a broadly oval body with a prominent scutellum. Adults live at the base of plants and in soil crevices.

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Did You Know?

This shieldbug emits a strong defensive odor when disturbed, which is particularly pungent in cold Arctic air.

San Jose Scale

A tiny armored scale insect that forms gray encrustations on the bark and fruit of apple, pear, and stone fruit trees. It was one of the first pests to prompt quarantine legislation.

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Did You Know?

Its discovery in San Jose, California in 1880 led to the first plant quarantine law in the United States.