Tulip Tree Scale (John Obermeyer, Purdue University)
Common Name: Tulip Tree Scale
Order: Homoptera
Family: Coccidae
Pest Status: Tulip tree scales can injure young twigs and branches when populations are high.
Appearance: Adults are oval and convex and have distinct, protective waxy covers. The body colors of females can vary from light gray-green to pink-orange mottled with black. Adult males are small with only one pair of wings and are less commonly seen.
Life Cycle: Tulip tree scales overwinter in the nymphal stage. The adults emerge in mid-summer and in fall; the females give birth to first instar nymphs called crawlers. Crawlers move to a suitable host and feed for a short time before molting into the overwinter stage.
Where to Collect: Tulip tree scales can be found on host plants that are covered in a sticky honeydew substance produced by scales during the growing season.