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. The family includes about 100 species in 10 genera found in the Nearctic, Indomalayan and Palaearctic realms.
The first instars of some species in the USA are called "crawlers". They are less than long, salmon-colored, and wingless with well-developed legs. 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.
Genera These genera belong to the Kermesidae: Allokermes Bullington & Kosztarab, 1985 Eriokermes Miller & Miller, 1993 Fulbrightia Ferris, 1950 Kermes Latreille, 1798 Nanokermes Bullington & Kosztarab, 1985 Nidularia Targioni-Tozzetti, 1868 Olliffiella Cockerell, 1896 Physeriococcus Borchsenius, 1959 Reynvaania Reynvaania Reyne, 1954 Sucinikermes Sucinikermes Koteja, 1988
References
External links
Allokermes kingii, northern red-oak kermes, kermes scale on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site