Allokermes galliformis

Allokermes galliformis

Allokermes galliformis (Riley) (Hemiptera: Kermesidae) is the most abundant and widespread species of kermes scale in North America. It is present in 34 of the contiguous United States, in addition to being documented in Canada, Japan, and Mexico (Bullington and Kosztarab 1985, Gill 1993, Kosztarab 1996, García Morales et al. 2016). A. galliformis reportedly feeds on more than 40 species of oak trees as well as several species of chinquapin, but tentative identifications are common because A. galliformis morphology often changes based on its host plant (Baer and Kosztarab 1985, Kosztarab 1996). 

The majority of Instar II females were present in mid-to-late June, and the majority of Instar III females occurred in early and mid-July. Instar III and early adult females turned maroon to brown (Fig. 2C). The peak time for reproductive female development is from mid-August through mid-September, and post-reproductive females were easily identifiable because their protective venter turned tan with three rows of dark spots (Fig. 2D).

Life History of Allokermes galliformis (Hemiptera: Kermesidae) in Colorado