**Armored Scales (Diaspididae)**

Characterized by a hard, waxy, protective covering that is separate from their body, making them less susceptible to insecticide spray treatments
Effective treatment of crawlers requires accurate timing
Improper timing can encourage scale infestations by providing poor controls & eliminating beneficial insects
Typically remain in one place once they begin to feed
Three life stages: egg, nymph, and adult, appearing differently at each stage
Adults are 1/8 inch or smaller. Females are round or elliptical in shape; Males are smaller & are all elliptical in shape
Eggs hatch beneath the females
Feed on plant cells, causing stunted growth, yellowing, premature leaf drop, and even death
No Honeydew (feed in mesophyll cells)
Do Not Move After Crawlers Settle
Leaf Stippling/Dieback Damage
Eggs, Nymphs, or Adults Overwinter
10-80 Eggs per Female
1, 2, or 3 Generations per Year
Host plants: wide variety of trees and shrubs

Natural predators: brown lacewings, green lacewings, lady beetles, parasitic wasps
Keep growing areas and equipment clean
Prevent dusty conditions
Reduce plant stress
Dispose of heavily infested plants

Contact insecticides:
- Carbamates [1A]: carbaryl
- Pyrethroids [3A]: –thrins
- Organophosphates [1B]: acephate (translaminar), malathion
Systemic insecticides:
- Neonicotinoids [4A]: dinotefuran, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam
Considerations:
- Will harm non-target species
- Timing is essential in controlling armored scales (target crawler stage before waxy covering forms)