| Monophlebidae | |
|---|---|
| Icerya seychellarum | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Superfamily: | Coccoidea |
| Family: | Monophlebidae Signoret [1] |
| Genera | |
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Monophlebidae is a family of scale insects commonly known as the giant scales or monophlebids. They occur in most parts of the world but more genera are found in the tropics than elsewhere.[2]
Contents |
At one time, Monophlebidae was considered to be a subfamily of Margarodidae. However the family Margarodidae showed great morphological and biological variation and Maskell first recognised Monophlebidae as a separate family in 1880. The giant scales are morphologically diverse but they appear to be a monophyletic group.[1]
Giant scales occur on a wide range of host plants but most of these are trees or woody shrubs.[2]
These scales can reach one centimetre long and have an elongated oval body. The adult females have six dark coloured legs and conspicuous antennae. Most genera have a waxy coating but some do not. They may have an ovisac or marsupium.
Giant scales infest the stems, branches and leaves of their host plant. They mostly have four female and five male instars. The prepupal instar are mobile, unlike most members of other scale families. They may have wing buds and the legs and antennae are well developed.[3]