Kermesidae | |
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Nidularia balachowskii | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hemiptera |
Suborder: | Sternorrhyncha |
Superfamily: | Coccoidea |
Family: | Kermesidae |
Genera | |
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The Kermesidae, or gall-like scales, are a family of scale insects belonging to the superfamily Coccoidea. The type genus, Kermes, includes the kermes scale insects, from which a red dye, also called kermes (a.k.a. crimson), is obtained.[1] The family includes about 100 species in 10 genera found in the Nearctic, Indomalayan and Palaearctic realms.[1]
The first instars are called "crawlers".[2] They are less than 0.5 millimetres (0.020 in) long, salmon-colored, and wingless with well-developed legs.[2] As adults, they demonstrate significant sexual dimorphism. Males are gnat-like with fragile wings, while females are bulbous with reduced legs and antennas, and are easily mistaken for buds or galls.[2]
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