{"id":2036,"date":"2016-06-24T12:30:52","date_gmt":"2016-06-24T19:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=2036"},"modified":"2022-05-16T10:03:21","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T17:03:21","slug":"ceroplastes-stellifer-westwood-stellate-scale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=2036","title":{"rendered":"Ceroplastes stellifer (Westwood): Stellate Scale"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?attachment_id=2189\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2189\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2189\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?attachment_id=2189\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/5169063-WEB-stellate-scale-by-Charles-Olsen-USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Bugwood.jpg?fit=636%2C479&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"636,479\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"stellate scale\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Image Citation: Charles Olsen, USDA APHIS PPQ, &lt;a href=&quot;http:\/\/www.forestryimages.org\/browse\/detail.cfm?imgnum=5169063&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer&quot;&gt;Bugwood.org&lt;\/a&gt; &lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Image Number: 5169063&lt;br \/&gt;\nStellate Scale (&lt;em&gt;Vinsonia stellifera&lt;\/em&gt;)&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Descriptor: Adult(s)&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Description: Found at Quarantine at CBP ATL by M. Bugos 25 Feb 2002; on &lt;em&gt;Chrysalidocarpus&lt;\/em&gt; sp. &lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Image type: Museum &lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Image view: Dorsal \/ Abaxial \/ Back&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/5169063-WEB-stellate-scale-by-Charles-Olsen-USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Bugwood.jpg?fit=474%2C357&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2189\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/5169063-WEB-stellate-scale-by-Charles-Olsen-USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Bugwood.jpg?resize=474%2C357\" alt=\"5169063-WEB-stellate-scale-by-Charles-Olsen-USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Bugwood\" width=\"474\" height=\"357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/5169063-WEB-stellate-scale-by-Charles-Olsen-USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Bugwood.jpg?w=636&amp;ssl=1 636w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/5169063-WEB-stellate-scale-by-Charles-Olsen-USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Bugwood.jpg?resize=300%2C226&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>California Pest Rating for<\/strong><\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>Ceroplastes stellifer <\/em><\/strong><strong>(Westwood): Stellate Scale<\/strong><\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>(synonym<em> Vinsonia stellifera<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Hemiptera: Coccidae<\/strong><\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Pest Rating: A<\/strong><\/h5>\n<hr \/>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>PEST RATING PROFILE<\/strong><\/h5>\n<h5><strong>Initiating Event:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> is regularly intercepted by CDFA and is presently assigned a temporary rating of \u201cQ\u201d.\u00a0 A pest rating proposal is required to determine a permanent pest rating.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>History &amp; Status:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong><u>Background<\/u>:\u00a0<\/strong> <em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> is a polyphagous soft scale insect that feeds on a variety of plants including many crops and ornamentals.\u00a0 Some of the known hosts include: <strong>Anacardiaceae<\/strong>: mango (<em>Mangifera indica<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), <em>Mangifera <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>; <strong>Apocynaceae<\/strong>: blackboard tree (<em>Alstonia scholaris<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), <em>Ervatamia orientalis<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>, frangipani (<em>Plumeria acutifolia<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>); <strong>Araliaceae<\/strong>: <em>Schefflera<\/em> sp.<sup>1<\/sup>; <strong>Arecaceae<\/strong>: coconut (<em>Cocos nucifera<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), <em>Cocos <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>; <strong>Aspleniaceae<\/strong>: <em>Asplenium <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>; <strong>Clusiaceae<\/strong>: <em>Clusia <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>, purple mangosteen (<em>Garcinia mangostana<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), bitter garcinia (<em>Garcinia spicata<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), kokum (<em>Garcinia indica<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), <em>Garcinia <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>; <strong>Ebenaceae<\/strong>: velvet apple (<em>Diospyros discolor<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>); <strong>Euphorbiaceae<\/strong>: bishop wood (<em>Bischofia javanica<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>); <strong>Lauraceae<\/strong>: camphor tree (<em>Cinnamomum camphora<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), avocado (<em>Persea americana<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>); <strong>Liliaceae<\/strong>: asparagus fern (<em>Asparagus sprengeri<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>); <strong>Moraceae<\/strong>: <em>Artocarpus integra<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>, banyan (<em>Ficus benghalensis<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), <em>Ficus antimesma<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>; <strong>Musaceae<\/strong>: <em>Musa <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>; <strong>Myrtaceae<\/strong>: <em>Eucalyptus <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>, jambos (<em>Eugenia jambos<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), jambul (<em>Eugenia jambolana<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), water apple (<em>Eugenia aquea<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), <em>Eugenia <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>, java plum (<em>Syzygium cuminii<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>); <strong>Orchidaceae<\/strong>: blood red broughtonia (<em>Broughtonia sanguinea<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), <em>Cattleya <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>, <em>Cypripedium niveum<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>, fringed star orchid (<em>Epidendrum ciliare<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), <em>Epidendrum <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>, <em>Stanhopea <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>; <strong>Phyllanthaceae<\/strong>: Chinese-laurel (<em>Antidesma bunius<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>); <strong>Polypodiaceae<\/strong>: <em>Adiantum <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>; <strong>Primulaceae<\/strong>: coralberry (<em>Ardisia polycephala<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>); <strong>Rutaceae<\/strong>: grapefruit (<em>Citrus grandis<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), bitter orange (<em>Citrus aurantium<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), <em>Citrus <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>, orangeberry (<em>Glycosmis pentaphylla<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), <em>Jambolana <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>; <strong>Sapotaceae<\/strong>: sapodilla (<em>Achras sapota<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>), <em>Lucuma caimito<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>, <em>Palaquium <\/em>sp.<sup>1<\/sup>; <strong>Strelitziaceae<\/strong>: traveller\u2019s palm (<em>Ravenala madagascariensis<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>); <strong>Zingiberaceae<\/strong>: red ginger (<em>Alpinia purpurata<\/em><sup>1<\/sup>).\u00a0 The scale has also been found feeding on additional hosts<sup>3,4<\/sup>.\u00a0 <em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> may be transported long distances when infested plants or fresh plant parts are moved.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Worldwide Distribution<\/u>:<\/strong> The native range of <em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> is uncertain but early records are from the Caribbean<sup>1<\/sup>.\u00a0 It is now widespread in parts of Australia, the Pacific, Africa, Asia, and South America<sup>1<\/sup>.\u00a0 In the United States it is found in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia<sup>1<\/sup>.\u00a0 Interceptions indicate that it may also be present in Hawaii.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Official Control<\/u>:<\/strong> <em>Ceroplastes stellifer <\/em>is listed as a harmful organism by China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Mexico (see <em>Vinsonia stellifera<\/em>)<sup> 2<\/sup>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>California Distribution<\/u>:<\/strong>\u00a0 <em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> has never been found in the environment of California.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>California Interceptions<\/u>:\u00a0<\/strong> From 1987 through 2015 <em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> was intercepted 251 times by CDFA\u2019s high risk programs and dog teams. Interceptions have occurred on plants and fresh plant parts from Hawaii, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Jamaica, and Florida.<\/p>\n<p>The risk <em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> (stellate scale) would pose to California is evaluated below.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Consequences of Introduction:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>1) <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Climate\/Host Interaction<\/span>:<\/strong> The known distribution of <em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> is primarily tropical and subtropical.\u00a0 The scale is expected to be able to establish throughout the warmer parts of California and receives a <span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Medium (2) <\/strong><\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n<p>Evaluate if the pest would have suitable hosts and climate to establish in California.\u00a0 Score:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211; <strong>Low (1)<\/strong> Not likely to establish in California; or likely to establish in very limited areas.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">&#8211; <strong>Medium (2)<\/strong> may be able to establish in a larger but limited part of California.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211; <strong>High (3)<\/strong> likely to establish a widespread distribution in California.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2) <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Known Pest Host Range<\/span>:<\/strong> <em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> is known to feed on a wide variety of plants in at least 21 families.\u00a0 It receives a <span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>High (3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n<p>Evaluate the host range of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211; <strong>Low (1)<\/strong> has a very limited host range.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211; <strong>Medium (2)<\/strong> has a moderate host range.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">&#8211; <strong>High (3)<\/strong> has a wide host range.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>3) <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Pest Dispersal Potential<\/span>:<\/strong> Scale insects have high reproductive rates and may disperse long distances when infested plants or plant parts are moved.\u00a0 They may also be spread by wind or by hitchhiking on plants, animals, or equipment.\u00a0 <em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> receives a <span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>High (3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n<p>Evaluate the natural and artificial dispersal potential of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211; <strong>Low (1)<\/strong> does not have high reproductive or dispersal potential.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211; <strong>Medium (2)<\/strong> has either high reproductive or dispersal potential.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">&#8211; <strong>High (3)<\/strong> has both high reproduction and dispersal potential.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>4) <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Economic Impact<\/span>:<\/strong> <em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> is not documented reducing crop yields.\u00a0 It might reduce the value of nursery stock by disfiguring plants with its presence and increase crop production costs in nurseries and orchards.\u00a0 It is not expected to change cultural practices, vector other organisms, injure animals, or disrupt water supplies.\u00a0 Stellate scale receives a <span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Medium (2)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n<p>Evaluate the economic impact of the pest to California using the criteria below. Score:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">A. The pest could lower crop yield.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>B<\/strong>. The pest could lower crop value (includes increasing crop production costs).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>C<\/strong>. The pest could trigger the loss of markets (includes quarantines).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">D. The pest could negatively change normal cultural practices.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">E. The pest can vector, or is vectored, by another pestiferous organism.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">F. The organism is injurious or poisonous to agriculturally important animals.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">G. The organism can interfere with the delivery or supply of water for agricultural uses.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211; <strong>Low (1)<\/strong> causes 0 or 1 of these impacts.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">&#8211; <strong>Medium (2)<\/strong> causes 2 of these impacts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211; <strong>High (3)<\/strong> causes 3 or more of these impacts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5) <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Environmental Impact<\/span>:<\/strong> <em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> is not expected to lower biodiversity, disrupt natural communities, or change ecosystem processes.\u00a0 It is not expected to feed on any threatened or endangered species or disrupt critical habitats.\u00a0 It might trigger new chemical treatments in orchards and the nursery industry and by residents who find infested plants unsightly.\u00a0 Host plants of the scale are common as ornamentals and in home gardens and might be significantly affected by this pest.\u00a0 Stellate scale receives a <span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>High (3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n<p>Evaluate the environmental impact of the pest on California using the criteria below.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">A. The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">B. The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">C. The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>D<\/strong>. The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>E<\/strong>. The pest significantly impacts cultural practices, home\/urban gardening or ornamental plantings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Score the pest for Environmental Impact. Score:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211; <strong>Low (1)<\/strong> causes none of the above to occur.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211; <strong>Medium (2)<\/strong> causes one of the above to occur.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">&#8211; <strong>High (3)<\/strong> causes two or more of the above to occur.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><strong>Consequences of Introduction to California for <em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> (Stellate Scale): <span style=\"color: #008000;\">High (13<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">)<\/span><\/h5>\n<p>Add up the total score and include it here.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211;<strong>Low<\/strong> = 5-8 points<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211;<strong>Medium<\/strong> = 9-12 points<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">&#8211;<strong>High<\/strong> = 13-15 points<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>6) <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information<\/span>:<\/strong> <em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> has not been found in California and receives a <span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Not established (0)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n<p>Evaluate the known distribution in California. Only official records identified by a taxonomic expert and supported by voucher specimens deposited in natural history collections should be considered. Pest incursions that have been eradicated, are under eradication, or have been delimited with no further detections should not be included.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">&#8211;<strong>Not established (0)<\/strong> Pest never detected in California, or known only from incursions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211;<strong>Low (-1)<\/strong> Pest has a localized distribution in California, or is established in one suitable climate\/host area (region).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211;<strong>Medium (-2)<\/strong> Pest is widespread in California but not fully established in the endangered area, or pest established in two contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">&#8211;<strong>High (-3)<\/strong> Pest has fully established in the endangered area, or pest is reported in more than two contiguous or non-contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/p>\n<h5>Final Score<\/h5>\n<p>The final score is the consequences of introduction score minus the post entry distribution and survey information score: <span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>High (13) <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h5><strong>Uncertainty: <\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>There have not been any recent surveys for stellate scale.\u00a0 It could be present in some localities.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Conclusion and Rating Justification: <\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><em>Ceroplastes stellifer<\/em> has never been found in California and is likely to have significant economic and environmental impacts if it were to establish in the state.\u00a0 An \u201cA\u201d rating is justified.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>References:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><sup>1<\/sup> Miller, Dug, Yair Ben-Dov, Gary Gibson, and Nate Hardy.\u00a0 ScaleNet. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sel.barc.usda.gov\/catalogs\/coccidae\/Ceroplastesstellifer.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.sel.barc.usda.gov\/catalogs\/coccidae\/Ceroplastesstellifer.htm<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/scalenet.info\/validname\/Vinsonia\/stellifera\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/scalenet.info\/validname\/Vinsonia\/stellifera\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><sup>2<\/sup> USDA Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance &amp; Tracking System (PCIT) Phytosanitary Export Database (PExD).\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/pcit.aphis.usda.gov\/pcit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/pcit.aphis.usda.gov\/pcit\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><sup>3 <\/sup>Scale Insect Fact Sheet: <em>Ceroplastes stillifer<\/em> (Westwood).\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/idtools.org\/id\/scales\/factsheet.php?name=6919\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/idtools.org\/id\/scales\/factsheet.php?name=6919<\/a><\/p>\n<p><sup>4<\/sup> Hodgson, Chris J. and Ana L.B.G. Peronti. 2012. A revision of the wax scale insects (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Ceroplastinae) of the Afrotropical region. Zootaxa 3372: 265pp.\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mapress.com\/zootaxa\/list\/2012\/3372.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.mapress.com\/zootaxa\/list\/2012\/3372.html<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h5>Responsible Party:<\/h5>\n<p>Jason Leathers, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, (916) 654-1211, plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h5>Comment Format:<\/h5>\n<p>\u2666 \u00a0Comments should refer to the appropriate California Pest Rating Proposal Form subsection(s)\u00a0being commented on, as shown below.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Example Comment<\/span>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Consequences of Introduction: \u00a01. Climate\/Host Interaction:\u00a0[<em>Your comment that relates to \u201cClimate\/Host Interaction\u201d here.<\/em>]<\/p>\n<p>\u2666 \u00a0Posted comments will not be able to be viewed immediately.<\/p>\n<p>\u2666 \u00a0Comments may not be posted if they:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Contain inappropriate language which is not germane to\u00a0the pest rating proposal;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Contains defamatory, false, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, pornographic,\u00a0sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, discriminatory or illegal\u00a0material;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Violates agency regulations prohibiting sexual harassment or other forms\u00a0of discrimination;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Violates agency regulations prohibiting workplace violence, including threats.<\/p>\n<p>\u2666 \u00a0Comments may be edited prior to posting to ensure they are entirely germane.<\/p>\n<p>\u2666 \u00a0Posted comments shall be those which have been approved in content and posted to the\u00a0website to be viewed, not just submitted.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Pest Rating: A<\/strong><\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>Posted by ls<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>California Pest Rating for Ceroplastes stellifer (Westwood): Stellate Scale (synonym Vinsonia stellifera) Hemiptera: Coccidae Pest Rating: A PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: Ceroplastes stellifer is regularly intercepted by CDFA and is presently assigned a temporary rating of \u201cQ\u201d.\u00a0 A pest rating proposal is required to determine a permanent pest rating. History &amp; Status: Background:\u00a0 Ceroplastes &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=2036\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Ceroplastes stellifer (Westwood): Stellate Scale<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[18,5],"tags":[339,186,52],"class_list":["post-2036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hemiptera","category-entomology","tag-ceroplastes-stellifer","tag-hemiptera","tag-insects-and-mites"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5l8vQ-wQ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7438,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=7438","url_meta":{"origin":2036,"position":0},"title":"Ceroplastes dugesii Lichtenstein: Duges wax scale Hemiptera: Coccidae","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"August 18, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating Profile for Ceroplastes dugesii Lichtenstein: Dugg wax scale Hemiptera: CoccidaePest Rating: A download pest rating Profile *NOTE: You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you have registered and have not received the registration confirmation, please contact us at permits[@]cdfa.ca.gov. Posted by ka","rel":"","context":"In &quot;A-Rated&quot;","block_context":{"text":"A-Rated","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=669"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":14268,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=14268","url_meta":{"origin":2036,"position":1},"title":"Ceroplastes rusci (Linnaeus): Fig wax scale","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"December 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating Profile for Ceroplastes rusci (Linnaeus): Fig wax scale Pest Rating: B Comment Period: 12\/04\/2025 \u2013 01\/18\/2026 Download Pest Rating Profiile *NOTE You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you have registered and have not received the registration confirmation, please contact us at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;B-Rated&quot;","block_context":{"text":"B-Rated","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=670"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3010,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=3010","url_meta":{"origin":2036,"position":2},"title":"Ceroplastes rusci (L.): Fig wax scale","author":"Jason Leathers","date":"December 21, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Ceroplastes rusci (L.): Fig wax scale Hemiptera:\u00a0 Coccidae Pest Rating: \u00a0A PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: February 26, 2014, USDA distributed a Deregulation Evaluation of Established Pests (DEEP) report proposing to change the status of Ceroplastes rusci, fig wax scale, from actionable to non-actionable for the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Hemiptera&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Hemiptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=18"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3008,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=3008","url_meta":{"origin":2036,"position":3},"title":"Ceroplastes rubens Maskell: Red wax scale","author":"Jason Leathers","date":"December 21, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Ceroplastes rubens Maskell: Red wax scale Hemiptera:\u00a0 Coccidae Pest Rating: \u00a0A PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: February 26, 2014, USDA distributed a Deregulation Evaluation of Established Pests (DEEP) report proposing to change the status of Ceroplastes rubens, red wax scale, from actionable to non-actionable for the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Hemiptera&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Hemiptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=18"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3231,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=3231","url_meta":{"origin":2036,"position":4},"title":"Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock: Florida Wax Scale","author":"Raj Randhawa","date":"January 17, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock: Florida Wax Scale Hemiptera: Coccidae Pest Rating: \u00a0A PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: Ceroplastes floridensis is regularly intercepted by CDFA and a pest rating proposal is required to assign a permanent rating. History & Status: Background: Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock, is one of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Hemiptera&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Hemiptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=18"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1954,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1954","url_meta":{"origin":2036,"position":5},"title":"Insects, Mites &#038; Earthworms","author":"Admin","date":"May 13, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Insects and mites are related in that their skeletons are on the outside (Phyllum: Arthropoda), but differ in that adult insects have six legs and adult mites have eight.\u00a0 Both groups can be beneficial, neutral or destructive to their environment.\u00a0 Like nematodes, they can cause yearly losses in the billions\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Ratings&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Ratings","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=333"},"img":{"alt_text":"Insects and Mites Banner","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/insects-and-mites-featured-image.jpg?fit=1038%2C588&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/insects-and-mites-featured-image.jpg?fit=1038%2C588&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/insects-and-mites-featured-image.jpg?fit=1038%2C588&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/insects-and-mites-featured-image.jpg?fit=1038%2C588&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2036","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2036"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2036\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10378,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2036\/revisions\/10378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}