MENU

AskIFAS Powered by EDIS

Citrus Pest Quick Guide: Cottony Cushion Scale (Icerya purchasi)

L. M. Diepenbrock, K. L. Ray and J. D. Burrow
Early nymphal stage of cottony cushion scale.
Figure 1. Early nymphal stage of cottony cushion scale.
Credit: L. J. Buss, UF/IFAS

Life Cycle

The cottony cushion scale can be found anywhere citrus is grown and has been found in most Florida counties.

The eggs are red and contained in an egg sac that covers the outside of the female. The egg sac is often 2–2.5 times longer than the body and can hold approximately 1,000 eggs. The eggs are responsible for the reddish liquid that comes out of smashed egg sacs.

Cottony cushion scale life stages.
Figure 2. Cottony cushion scale life stages.
Credit: P.M. Choate, UF/IFAS

 

Adult female cottony cushion scale.
Figure 3. Adult female cottony cushion scale.  
Credit: Jeffrey W. Lotz, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org (CC BY-SA) 

Egg hatching is dependent upon temperature and may take up to two months. When hatched, the nymphs (crawlers) are minute with orange-red bodies and black extremities. They often have a small amount of wax on their backs and are bright red with dark antennae and brown legs.

Mature females have bright orange-red, yellow, or brown bodies and are partially or completely covered in a yellowish or white wax. It is more common to see females than males.

Damage

Cottony cushion scale nymphs mostly damage leaves and feed on larger twigs as they age and increase in size. Adults settle on larger branches and trunks to feed. The cottony cushion scale is rarely found on fruit. Damage from the cottony cushion scale ultimately decreases tree vitality and increases fruit drop and defoliation. Sooty mold is often found developing on their sugary honeydew secretions.

Icerya purchasi, adult cottony cushion scale.
Figure 4. Icerya purchasi, adult cottony cushion scale.
Credit: UF/IFAS CREC

 

Adult vedalia beetles feeding on adult cottony cushion scale insects.
Figure 5. Adult vedalia beetles feeding on adult cottony cushion scale insects.  
Credit: Jeffrey W. Lotz, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org (CC BY-SA) 

 

Peer Reviewed

Publication #ENY2108

Release Date:September 19, 2024

Related Experts

Diepenbrock, Lauren M.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Burrow, Jamie D.

staff

University of Florida

Related Collections

Part of Citrus Pest Quick Guides series

Organism ID

About this Publication

This document is ENY2108, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date September 2024. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.© 2024 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 

About the Authors

Lauren M. Diepenbrock, assistant professor, Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center; Katie L. Ray, summer 2019 student intern, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication; and Jamie D. Burrow, Extension program manager, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Jamie Burrow
  • Lauren Diepenbrock
thumbnail for publication: Citrus Pest Quick Guide: Cottony Cushion Scale (Icerya purchasi)