Cottony Maple Leaf Scale
Pulvinaria acericola
This record describes Pulvinaria acericola (species). Recorded family: Coccidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Slightly convex; brown with a longitudinal yellow-brown ridge. The body is covered with flakes of clear wax. Legs absent.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Sternorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Coccoidea
- Family
- Coccidae (Soft Scale Insects)
- Genus
- Pulvinaria (Cottony Scales)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Eggs white to pale yellow and meshed in a white, cottony ovisac which may be up to 5 mm wide and 12 mm long. Newly hatched nymphs are pale yellow or green and translucent.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Authors: Walsh and Riley
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Pulvinaria acericola. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Cottony Maple Leaf Scale (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Frequently Asked Questions About Cottony Maple Leaf Scale
What is Cottony Maple Leaf Scale?
Cottony Maple Leaf Scale (Pulvinaria acericola) is a species in the family Coccidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Cottony Maple Leaf Scale?
3 to 4 mm long and 2 to 4 mm wide
How do you identify Cottony Maple Leaf Scale?
Slightly convex; brown with a longitudinal yellow-brown ridge. The body is covered with flakes of clear wax. Legs absent.
What is the life cycle of a Cottony Maple Leaf Scale?
Eggs white to pale yellow and meshed in a white, cottony ovisac which may be up to 5 mm wide and 12 mm long. Newly hatched nymphs are pale yellow or green and translucent.