Scale insects are very common pests of landscape trees
and shrubs, yet they often are overlooked when scouting.
They can, however, be responsible for chlorosis (loss of
green coloration of plants due to lack of chlorophyll),
branch dieback, or death of the plant. Wax scales are
part of the soft scale group as they produce soft, cottony,
powdery, or waxy covers that cannot be separated from
the scale body. Indian wax scale (Ceroplastes ceriferus);
Figure 1) and Florida wax scale (Ceroplastes floridensis;
Figure 2) are the common wax scale species that occur in
Georgia. Indian wax scale is prevalent in the eastern U.S.
from Florida to Maryland. Florida wax scale is found from
Florida to New York and westward to New Mexico.
Published by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. For more information or guidance, contact your local Extension office.
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Status and Revision History
- Published on September 25, 2023
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