Woolly Vine Scale Insect
Pulvinaria vitis
This record describes Pulvinaria vitis (species). Recorded family: Coccidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult females are oval, moderately convex, with transverse wrinkles, dark brown; up to 9 mm long. Ovisac forms beneath female body, which is tilted upwards; ovisac strongly convex, white, about 8 mm long. Feeds on a wide range of woody plants. It has been recorded on Hawthorn and is an occasional pest of grapevine, peach and currants. This species is locally common throughout Britain.
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.
Habitat and Range
Seasonal Activity
Usually recorded in summer.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Feeds on a wide range of woody plants. It has been recorded on Hawthorn and is an occasional pest of grapevine, peach and currants.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species is locally common throughout Britain.
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Pulvinaria vitis. 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 Woolly Vine Scale Insect (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Woolly Vine Scale Insect
What is Woolly Vine Scale Insect?
Woolly Vine Scale Insect (Pulvinaria vitis) is a species in the family Coccidae, within the order Hemiptera.
When is Woolly Vine Scale Insect active?
Woolly Vine Scale Insect: seasonal activity - Usually recorded in summer..
What is the life cycle of a Woolly Vine Scale Insect?
Feeds on a wide range of woody plants. It has been recorded on Hawthorn and is an occasional pest of grapevine, peach and currants.