About Eulecanium cerasorum (Cockerell, 1900)
Eulecanium cerasorum, commonly called the calico scale, is a species of scale insect. It can be identified by the white and brown coloration on its outer circular shell, which darkens continuously as the insect ages. Individuals reach approximately one quarter of an inch in diameter. Calico scale is a pest that affects many species of trees in the United States, including dogwoods, honey locust, magnolias, maples, sweetgums, and fruit trees. This pest typically attacks tree branches, causing stress to host trees. Mature females produce honeydew, which encourages mold growth on and around the host tree. After nymphs migrate along a tree branch, they settle in place and form a circular hardened shell or cap. This structure acts as a protective coat against both predators and pesticides. A typical mature female will lay around 4500 eggs inside her protective cap.
