are always absent from the venter of the ab-
domen. Spiracular setae are usually differen-
tiated from the marginal setae.
Third Instar Female: The 3rd instar can either be
the adult instar or the last immature instar,
depending on the species. The last immature
female instar (Fig. 2) resembles the adult female,
but has fewer setae and pores, and may have
fewer anal ring setae and antenna segments.
Multilocular pores are absent from the venter of
the abdomen.
 The adult female stage (Fig. 8) has more setae
and pores. Tubular ducts may be present or ab-
sent, but usually present. Multilocular pores are
present on the venter of the abdomen. Additional
characters of the adult female, whether it be 3rd
or 4th instar, are discussed under General Mor-
phology of the Adult Female.
Second Instar Male (Fig. 3): Sexual dimorphism
is apparent in the 2nd instar. The male is
elongate oval in shape, eyes are present, anal
plates are present, but the long apical setae are
absent. The presence of dorsal tubular ducts
(Fig. 3,G) readily distinguishes the 2nd instar
male from the 2nd instar female, which lacks
dorsal tubular ducts. This stage produces the
characteristic glassy wax cover of male soft
scales.
Third Instar Male (Prepupa) (Fig. 4): The
prepupa is found under the glassy wax cover
secreted by the 2nd instar male. In general, the
derm is membranous. The anal plates are re-
placed by 2 quadrate sclerotized lobes, and the
anal ring, spiracular setae, eyes, pores, and ducts
are absent. The anal opening is near the
sclerotized base of the penial sheath, and the
penial sheath is short and rounded. Wing buds
are present. The legs and antennae are about 1/4
body length and have poorly defined segments.
Fourth Instar Male (Pupa) (Fig. 5): The pupa is
similar in appearance to the prepupa male, but
the development of the antennae, legs, wings,
and genital structures have progressed to a more
definable state. The eyes are still absent. The
penial sheath is elongate and triangular. The
antennae and legs are greater than 1/3 the body
length, and segmentation is more distinct.
Fifth Instar Male: The adult male instar is shown
in Fig. 6. For detailed information about the
morphology and taxonomy of adult male Coc-
cidae, see Giliomee (1967). The body is divided
into a head, thorax, and abdomen, with a dis-
tinct neck region behind the head. The head is
well sclerotized, has 2-5 pairs of simple eyes and
a pair of lateral ocelli. The mouthparts are ab-
sent. Legs are well developed, usually long,


slender, and 5 segmented. The penial sheath is
long and generally about 1/4 the body length.
 The adult male remains under the wax cover
 produced by the second instar male until fully
 developed. It then backs out from beneath the
 cover and begins to actively search for a female.
 The adult males are short lived and do not feed;
 their sole purpose is to mate with the females.



 ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
 OF THE COCCIDAE

 The family Coccidae represents an
economically important group of insects. Many
species attack agricultural, ornamental, and
greenhouse plantings throughout the world. The
economic importance of the group is perhaps
considerably underestimated. Isolated infesta-
tions in ornamental plantings are usually
overlooked, and often the death of the plant is at-
tributed to some other cause.
 Soft scales remove plant sap by their feeding,
and excrete a large amount of honeydew, which
is a liquid excretion rich in sugars and
nitrogenous compounds. Honeydew adheres to
plant surfaces and serves as a medium for the
growth of sooty mold fungi. Sooty mold fungi,
which are dirty or sooty in appearance, not only
inhibit photosynthesis by the plant, but also
greatly reduces the aesthetic qualities of the
plant.
 Most soft scale species of economic impor-
tance in the United States belong to the following
genera: Ceroplastes Gray, Coccus Linnaeus, and
Saissetia Deplanche. Where records are
available, the economic importance is discussed
under the treatment of each species.



 ASSOCIATED INSECTS

 Soft scale insects are often found in associa-
 tion with other insects, particularly ants, wasps,
 and bees. These associations are usually
 beneficial to both soft scale and associate insects.
 The ants provide protection to the scale insects
 by warding off parasites and predators, and in
 turn are provided with a food source in the form
 of honeydew excreted by the scale insects. In ad-
 dition, some species of ants build cartons or tents
 over colonies of soft scale insects (Fig. 7). These
 ant tents are generally constructed of soil or
 debris collected in the vicinity of the colony and
 are cemented together to form a covering over