قشرية الزيتون

The olive scale, Parlatoria oleae is a soft scale insect belonging to the Coccidae family. Adults are 2-3 mm long with oval, reddish bodies covered by a waxy layer that gives them a grayish-white color. Adult females cover their eggs and remain mostly immobile. The first instars (“crawlers”) emerge from the eggs and immediately search for a spot to feed on. Olive scale feeds on twigs and leaves, but it prefers to feed on fruit when fruit is present.

Infested fruits will develop purple spots that are most likely noticed during harvest time. The formation of purple spots on green fruits makes them unsuitable for most markets. Intense infestations can significantly lower tree productivity.