The scale insects are small insects of the order Hemiptera, notable for their habit of secreting a waxy covering that covers their bodies. They are generally classified as the superfamilyCoccoidea, consisting of over 7,000 species grouped into 28 families.
As hemipterans, scale insects feed on wide variety of plants, and many types are major plant pests. Other types are economically valuable, such as the cochineal scales and lac scales.
Scale insects are unusual in that the females retain their larval form at sexual maturity, while the adult males have wings but never feed and die within a day or two. The specifics of their reproductive systems vary considerably within the group, including hermaphroditism and seven forms of parthenogenesis.
Scales are usually small and inconspicuous and by the time an infestation is noted, the population is usually so great the plant is unsalable.
In a general scale life cycle, eggs are produced beneath the female shell and hatch into tiny crawlers which are invisible to the unaided eye.
The yellow streaks in the foliage which appear to radiate from the scales are feeding injuries and are typical of injuries caused by this pest on palms.
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