San Jose Scale vs Parent Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | San Jose Scale | Parent Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Diaspidiotus perniciosus | Elasmucha grisea |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Diaspididae | Acanthosomatidae |
| Size | 1-2 mm diameter | 6-9 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Heathland |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide temperate regions | Europe, Northern Asia |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Its discovery in San Jose, California in 1880 led to the first plant quarantine law in the United States.
Parent Bug
A birch-feeding shieldbug remarkable for its extended maternal care behavior. Females stand guard over their egg clusters and young nymphs for weeks, shielding them with their body.
Did You Know?
Mothers physically shield their eggs and nymphs from parasitoid wasps by spreading their body like an umbrella over them.