Description
Armored scales either are oyster-shaped, with arcs of wax being layed down, or circular-shaped with arcs of wax pivoting around a central point or nipple. The Ivy or Oleander Scale is grey or dirty white, circular and flat with a somewhat off-center nipple. The False Florida Red Scale is also circular with a central nipple and is dark red to nearly black. A third circular scale, Boisduval's scale is white and flattened while the male is smaller and elongate with three powdery ridges along the back.

Life History
For most armored scales, eggs are laid under the female cover and hatch with young crawlers emerging. The crawlers migrate to suitable feeding sites and then settle down and become sedentary. Upon settling down, the crawler inserts a thread-like mouthpart through the epidermis of the leaf or bark and begins to feed. After feeding for a short time, the crawler molts and sheds its antennae and legs. Female crawlers molt twice prior to becoming an adult. Males have a pupal stage after the second molt and then emerge as yellowish winged insects with two wings, antennae, 3 pairs of legs, and a long appendage extending from the abdomen.

Figure 2. Florida Red Scale (Adult & Immatures)

Mating occurs with the male dying shortly afterward. Armored scales may be found on both the leaves and stems of host plants forming thick crusts. They normally are found on the undersides of the foliage, but may be on upper surfaces as well. Under greenhouse conditions, there may be 3 - 6 generations per year.

Damage
Armored scales are sap-feeding insects and cause further damage by injecting toxins into the host plant while feeding. Feeding damage may cause yellow or brown areas around the feeding site and eventually leaf death. Unlike soft scales, armored scales do not produce honeydew.