Gall-like Scale Insects (Kermes spp.)

Tagged as: Coccoidea, Homoptera, Kermesidae

(Homoptera: Coccoidea: Kermesidae)

Issue No. 178
Avas B. Hamon
May, 1977

Gall-like Scale Insects (Kermes spp.)

Introduction

Species of the genus Kermes infest only oaks (Quercus spp.) and have a worldwide distribution. Twenty-nine species occur in the U.S., and 3 of these are recorded from Florida. They are K. galliformis Riley, K. kingi Cockerell, and K. petteti Ehrhorn. Identifications are generally based on size and color patterns of old females; however, accurate identifications to species are nearly impossible using these characters. Adult females of most Kermes species in the U.S. are found at the base of leaf petioles. One generation is produced each year in the 2 North American species studied (McConnell and Davidson, 1959; and Hamon, Lambdin, and Kosztarab, 1976).

Circulars