Indian Wax Scale
ExploreInsects
Indian Wax Scale
Ceroplastes ceriferus
The Indian Wax Scale is a tiny insect that covers itself in a waxy shell. It often lives on plants and can look like little white bumps on leaves.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Indian Wax Scale is a small, dome-shaped insect typically covered in a thick, white or yellowish waxy secretion. This protective wax gives it a distinctive, irregular, porcelain-like appearance, making it look more like a tiny dollop of wax than an insect.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHemipteraFamilyCoccidaeGenusCeroplastes
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A single female wax scale can lay hundreds of eggs under her protective waxy shell!
Baby wax scales can walk and find a spot, but adult females glue themselves down for life.
They look more like tiny, waxy bumps or blobs on a plant than actual insects.
Tiny ants sometimes 'farm' these scales, protecting them for their sweet honeydew snack!
Special abilities
Ability
Wax Shield Creator
Indian Wax Scale can produce a thick waxy coating because it helps them hide from hungry birds and other predators.
Ability
Sap Sucker
Indian Wax Scale has a long, straw-like mouthpart that helps them drink sugary sap from plants without moving.
Ability
Honeydew Dispenser
Indian Wax Scale can secrete sticky 'honeydew' that attracts ants, which sometimes protect them in return.
Measurements & details
- Size
- 3-6 mm
- Lifespan
- 60-120 days
- Leg Count
- 6
- Colony Size
- 500
Diet & Feeding
Tiny insects that suck sugary sap from plants like it's a never-ending juice box!
Primary Foods
- Citrus sap
- Tea plant sap
- Coffee plant sap
- Holly sap
- Gardenia sap
Ecological connections
depends on
Orange tree
Citrus sinensis
Feeds on the sap of this host plant.
depends on
Tea plant
Camellia sinensis
A significant pest on tea plantations.
symbiotic with
Weaver ant
Oecophylla smaragdina
Tends scales for their sugary honeydew secretions.
eaten by
Parasitoid wasp
Anicetus ceroplastis
Larvae develop inside the wax scale.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Miniature
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Don't touch insects without asking an adult first, as some can be delicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Indian Wax Scale?
3-6 mm
How long does Indian Wax Scale live?
60-120 days
What does Indian Wax Scale eat?
Tiny insects that suck sugary sap from plants like it's a never-ending juice box!
Where is Indian Wax Scale usually found?
Urban areas
How many legs does Indian Wax Scale have?
6
How large are Indian Wax Scale colonies?
500
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