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Common Name:  Scale Insects

Description: Scale insects are highly modified creatures and minute physical characteristics may differ from species to species.  In general, they are wingless, legless and sessile.  The legs and antennae are lost after the first molt of development; then they become sessile and secrete a waxy layer to cover their soft bodies.  The males will sometimes have one pair of wings and lack mouthparts.

Spot ID Key Characters:

  1. Sessile insects that secrete a protective cover over their soft bodies
  2. Legs and antennae not apparent

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Order:  Hemiptera, suborder Homoptera

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