What does the cycad aulacaspis scale insect look like, and how can it be differentiated from other species of scale insects?
A. The cycad aulacaspis scale is in the armored scale insect family (Diaspididae). They are very tiny insects (about 1 millimeter long). They make a scale out of wax and live beneath it. The scale itself is a little more than a millimeter long. It is white, with a little yellow spot at one end. The spot is actually the shed skin of the first stage larva. An armored scale insect that is very similar in appearance to the cycad aulacaspis scale insect is the Magnolia white scale insect. Both species produce white scales that are somewhat teardrop-shaped. However, the Magnolia white scale insect has a strong tendency to infest the adaxial (upper) frond surface, while the cycad aulacaspis scale insect infests the abaxial (lower) frond surface. Also, if the scale is lifted so as to observe the mature female scale insect, the color of this insect is yellow in the Magnolia white scale and bright orange in the cycad aulacaspis scale insect. This is best observed under a hand lens or microscope.
