crapemyrtle bark scale
(Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Major Hosts
It is currently the only bark scale known to feed on crape myrtle in the US. It has only been found on crape myrtles and American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) in the US, but has been found on other species outside the US.
Key Features
Insect: Adult females produce a white, felt-like sac around their bodies. Eggs are not seen, as females lay approximately 100-300 pink eggs inside their felt-like sac. Nymphs are tiny pink crawlers when young, and the older nymphs are pink, gray, or brown. Adult males, which are rarely seen, are winged and mobile. There are 2-4 generations per year, depending on climate.
Damage: Heavy infestations are easily seen as white and grey scales cover the trunks, branches, and twigs and also promote the growth of black sooty mold. Ants may also be present, feeding on the exuded honeydew. The primary damage is aesthetic rather than being severely harmful to the tree, though there can be stunted growth and reduced flowering in heavy infestations.
It is currently the only bark scale known to feed on crape myrtle in the US. It has only been found on crape myrtles and American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) in the US, but has been found on other species outside the US.
Key Features
Insect: Adult females produce a white, felt-like sac around their bodies. Eggs are not seen, as females lay approximately 100-300 pink eggs inside their felt-like sac. Nymphs are tiny pink crawlers when young, and the older nymphs are pink, gray, or brown. Adult males, which are rarely seen, are winged and mobile. There are 2-4 generations per year, depending on climate.
Damage: Heavy infestations are easily seen as white and grey scales cover the trunks, branches, and twigs and also promote the growth of black sooty mold. Ants may also be present, feeding on the exuded honeydew. The primary damage is aesthetic rather than being severely harmful to the tree, though there can be stunted growth and reduced flowering in heavy infestations.
Selected Images
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: Hexapoda |
| Class: Insecta |
| Subclass: Pterygota |
| Infraclass: Neoptera |
| Superorder: Paraneoptera |
| Order: Hemiptera |
| Suborder: Sternorrhyncha |
| Superfamily: Coccoidea |
| Family: Eriococcidae |
| Genus: Acanthococcus |
| Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae |