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San Jose Scale
Quadraspidiotus perniciosus

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

Female San Jose scale give birth to living young that emerge from under the edge of the scale covering. These tiny yellow crawlers (see photo above) wander in a random fashion until they find a suitable place to settle. Immediately upon settling, the crawlers insert their mouthparts into the host plant and begin feeding and secreting a white waxy material (white cap [61K] stage); eventually the waxy covering turns black and is known as the black cap [84K] stage.

San Jose scales overwinter predominantly in the black cap stage, although in mild years some adult females may also survive. In late January, these nymphs resume their growth. These overwintering scales become adults during March. Immature male and female scales are indistinguishable until after the first molt when the body of the male begins to elongate. Males molt a total of four times after which yellowish, winged adult males [61K] emerge to mate with females. The adult female [83K] San Jose scale remains under its shell, which is gray and circular; the body under the shell covering is yellow. After a period of about two months, crawlers from the overwintering females begin emerging in April, with their peak emergence usually in early May. Although crawlers are present throughout the summer and fall, there are usually four generations per year.

(Description from UC Pest Management Guidelines)

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