Aonidiella aurantii

California red scale
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Sternorrhyncha
Family: Diaspididae
Genus: Aonidiella
Species:
A. aurantii
Binomial name
Aonidiella aurantii
Synonyms
  • Aspidiotus aurantii
  • Chrysomphalus aurantii

Aonidiella aurantii or red scale is an armored scale insect and a major pest of citrus. It is thought to be a native of South China but has been widely dispersed by the agency of man through the movement of infected plant material. In the United States it is known as California red scale. It was first found in California between 1868 and 1875, apparently brought there on planting material imported from Australia.