| Diaspididae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Three species of armored scales | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Sternorrhyncha |
| Superfamily: | Coccoidea |
| Family: | Diaspididae Maskell, 1878 |
Diaspididae is the largest family ofscale insects with over 2650 described species in around 400 genera. As with all scale insects, the female produces a waxy protective scale beneath which it feeds on its host plant. Diaspidid scales are far more substantial than those of most other families, incorporating theexuviae from the first twonymphalinstars and sometimesfaecal matter and fragments of the host plant.[1] These can be complex and extremely waterproof structures rather resembling a suit ofarmor. For this reason these insects are commonly referred to asarmored scale insects. As it is so robust and firmly attached to the host plant, the scale often persists long after the insect has died.
Some African Diaspididae are attended by ants of genusMelissotarsus. The ants appear to consume the armored scales because Diaspididae are completely naked when ant-attended; the ant nest itself remains completely hidden under the bark of the tree.[2]
Notable species include:
The classification of the subfamilies and tribes of Diaspididae has varied in recent years. Research published in 2019 classified the subfamilies and tribes of Diaspididae as follows:[3][4]
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