Instead, they think they are part of the tree or shrub itself. Mature scales lack a distinct head, legs or antennae. Eggs mature underneath the female scale. The first larval stage hatching from the egg is called the crawler stage. This is the only mobile life stage other than the adult male, which is rarely seen and lives only a few days.
Crawlers move about for several days before permanently settling down on the plant to feed.
Crawlers and very young scale insects are the life stages most susceptible to insecticides. These scales have a life cycle similar to that of armored scales. Many soft scales are hemispherical and dark. A related group of scales produces cottony wax and includes the cottony maple scale. This information is for educational purposes only.