Females can give birth to two or three crawlers per day, averaging 100 to 150 during their lifetime. After birth, crawlers move about the tree canopy in search of a suitable location. As they begin feeding and developing, a cover forms from wax secretions and molted skins. California red scale California red scale on grapefruit Several generations occur per year with each requiring approximately 60 days, depending on temperature. California red scales feed on fruit, leaves, twigs and branches with piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Plant tissue is damaged as a result of plant fluid removal and injection of toxic substances.
California red scales may cause yellowing of leaves, leaf abscission and overall decreased tree growth. Young trees may be killed as a result of California red scale feeding. Chaff scale Chaff scales are the most widely distributed and abundant armored scales found on Texas citrus. This scale can cause serious problems to the fruit by virtue of its ability to prevent degreening of the peel surrounding the scale when natural color change occurs, or when degreening is induced. The resultant green spots render the fruit unsuitable for fresh markets.