San Jose Scale vs Amazonian Water Scorpion

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute San Jose Scale Amazonian Water Scorpion
Scientific Name Diaspidiotus perniciosus Ranatra spp.
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Diaspididae Nepidae
Size 1-2 mm diameter 30-50 mm including siphon
Habitat Orchards Ponds & Lakes
Diet Fruit Feeders Predators
Regions Worldwide temperate regions Throughout South America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

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.

Amazonian Water Scorpion

A stick-like aquatic bug with an extremely elongated body and long breathing siphon at the rear. It hangs motionless near the surface, ambushing passing prey.

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Did You Know?

Despite the common name, it is not a scorpion at all and is completely harmless to humans though it can deliver a mild prick.