About Crypticerya genistae (Hempel, 1912)
Crypticerya genistae is a species of giant scale insect that belongs to the tribe Iceryini. Adult females of this species somewhat resemble the widely distributed cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi. Like Icerya purchasi, they have a light orange body, black legs, and a white fluted ovisac. Unlike Icerya purchasi, the ovisac of Crypticerya genistae is much larger, measuring 17 to 19 mm (0.66–0.75 inches). The ovisac is held either erect or parallel to the insect's host plant. Crypticerya genistae is also very similar in appearance to two other scale insect species: Icerya rileyi and Icerya littoralis. This species is native to South America, which includes Brazil. It was accidentally introduced to Florida by 2005, and to the Cayman Islands by 2006.
