Cerococcidae
The family Cerococcidae belongs to the superfamily Coccoidea within the order Hemiptera. These insects are specialized pests that typically lead a sedentary lifestyle, anchoring themselves onto plant tissues to feed on cell sap using their piercing-sucking mouthparts.
What the section contains
Cerococcus
Cerococcus
Cerococcus deklei
Cerococcus deklei
Cerococcus ehrhorni
Cerococcus ehrhorni
Cerococcus muratae
Cerococcus muratae
Cerococcus ornatus
Cerococcus ornatus
Chain cerococcus
Cerococcus catenarius
Coffee cerococcus
Cerococcus coffeae
Gabon cerococcus
Cerococcus gabonensis
Hibiscus wax scale
Cerococcus hibisci
Parahyba cerococcus
Cerococcus parahybensis
Cerococcidae
These pests primarily target woody plants, shrubs, and ornamental species, although they can also infest fruit trees. They are commonly found in both natural habitats and managed landscapes, where they can cause significant stress to host plants, particularly when infestations are heavy.
The biology and lifecycle of Cerococcidae are characterized by sexual dimorphism. Adult females are sessile and protected by a waxy test or shell, which provides significant defense against environmental stress and chemical contact. The life cycle consists of the egg stage, several nymphal instars, and the adult stage; dispersal mostly occurs during the mobile 'crawler' phase.
Damage symptoms include overall plant decline, chlorosis, leaf drop, and stunted growth or deformation of branches. By draining the plant's resources, these insects weaken the host's immune system, frequently leading to secondary infections by fungi or opportunistic pathogens that thrive on the insect's honeydew secretions.
Control strategies should be integrated and timely: cultural practices such as pruning and destroying infested material are essential for reducing populations. Chemical control is most effective when targeted at the crawler stage, utilizing systemic insecticides or horticultural oils that can penetrate or disrupt the protective wax layers.