Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Subphylum	Hexapoda
Class	Insecta
Subclass	Pterygota
Infraclass	Neoptera
Superorder	Paraneoptera
Order	Hemiptera
Suborder	Sternorrhyncha
Superfamily	Coccoidea
Family	Coccidae
Subfamily	Ceroplastinae
Tribe	Ceroplastini
Genus	Ceroplastes

Scientific Name

Ceroplastes destructor

Scientific Name Synonyms

Gascardia destructor

Common Name

soft wax scale

Overview

Introduction
The common name for Ceroplastes destructor is soft wax scale which describes very well the softness of the wax cover, which can be easily squished with finger pressure. They are pests of Actinidia deliciosa, kiwi; Citrus spp.such as oranges, grapefruit, and mandarins.

Appearance
Adult females are oval about 0.098-0.252 in. (2.5-6.40 mm) long, with a strongly sclerotized anal process. They have small black eye-spots on each side of the head region. Bristle like setae are found between the spiracular furrows. They have 6 segmented antennae and well developed legs. The adult male is unknown.

Life Cycle
Usually one generation per year. In warmer areas a partial second generation may be produced. They over winter usually as third instar immatures and adult females. The new generation is produced through summer and the young tend to settle on the leaves before moving to the stems. Soft wax scale is parthenogenetic and there are no males.

Resources

[download.ceris.purdue.edu/file/3073 Ceroplastes destructor - Purdue University]
Landcare Research, Manaaki Whenua

Images from Bugwood.org

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