Phantasma Scale

Feeding and identification

Fiorinia phantasma is an armored scale whose feeding can produce yellow patches visible on the upper surface of host leaves. Its recorded host range extends beyond one ornamental plant. Scale cover and plant damage are useful clues, but species identification requires distinguishing it from other scales. The cited pest assessment describes a life cycle of roughly one and a half to two months under the conditions reviewed; local timing remains unmeasured here.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present. Matsunaga, Howarth & Kumashiro (2019) Table 1 includes Kauaʻi island code 'Ka'; first-detection year shown as 2004; reported island distribution: Ha, Ka, Ma.

Account coverage

Published species details have been added. A complete Kauaʻi-specific account of identification, habitat, feeding, reproduction, and population trend is not yet established by the sources linked here.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Fiorinia phantasma

Common names

Phantasma Scale

Family

Diaspididae

Order

Hemiptera

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not assessed

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

Phantasma Scale (Fiorinia phantasma) belongs to Diaspididae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status is introduced.

Sources and further reading

• Peer-reviewed alien-fauna update
• Feeding and identification — species source