Gillette Eriococcin: Appearance, Territory, Damage and Life

Latin name: Eriococcus gillettei

Appearances: Prior to developing an ovisac, adult females are yellow, but eventually they turn brownish purple. A tiny crystalline rod fringe surrounds the body edges. A stiff, pear-shaped ovisac are produced by the adult female and envelop both the adult female and the egg. When they first hatch, the first instar is brown, but after feeding, they turn lemon-yellow. Yellow with reddish mottling characterizes the second instar.

Host plants: This scale can only eat certain juniper species (juniperus) including California Juniper, Western Juniper and eastern redcedar.

Territory: The United States is the original home of Gillette eriococcin. The District of Columbia, Maryland, Florida, Virginia, and other Western States have all recorded it. But it is undeniably widespread in the Southeast.

Life cycle and habits: A Gillette in Maryland, there is one eriococcin generation per year, and males are typically present. In April or May, eggs hatch after an extended period of overwintering. June sees the appearance of the second instar, while late June and early July see the dominance of adults. Fall is when egg laying starts, and it lasts into the first part of winter. When first laid, the eggs are yellow, but by February, they have become brown. A female can produce roughly 50 eggs at a time. Feeding occurs in the canopy’s protected region.