Soft Scales
What do soft scales Look Like?
Adult female scales and immature nymphs of most scale species are circular or oval, wingless and lack a separate head. Adult males are rarely seen, as they are a tiny, delicate insect with one pair of wings and a pair of long antennae. Some scale species lack a male and the female actually reproduces without mating. Scales range in size from 1/8 of inch up to ¼ of an inch. Per the University of Florida, our great state is home to the following scale species:
When are soft scales Most Active?
When the weather is warmest these plant inhibiting insects can increase significantly, which means that they are a year-round concern here in Florida.
What Attracts soft scales?
Soft scales are attracted to ornamental plants, Hollies, landscape shrubs, and trees.
Where are you likely to find soft scales?
Soft scales are likely to be found on the leaves and stalk of any shrub, plant or tree that they have decided to infest. These tiny infesting insects can be found in greenhouses and commercial crops alike.
Are soft scales Dangerous or Destructive?
Soft scales can be destructive to the plants or trees that they have attached themselves to. Not only can they damage it with their eating habits of it, but their secretion, honeydew, is a sticky substance that attracts mold and mildew and other pests that can be damaging to the plant. Control measures for these destructive pests cost commercial greenhouses owners and crop growers millions of dollars a year.
