Kermes shastensis Ehrhorn

Talla shastensis
Kermes branigani (misidentification)

Hosts: Chrysolepis sp., Quercus chrysolepis, turbinella [observation on Q vaccinifolia listed as "questionable"]

Post-reproductive female. Ehrhorn (1911) described the post-reproductive female as . . . enveloped in a thick white, brittle, waxy secretion, making the scale very striking and easily detected on the twigs of the trees. Scales round about 5 mm. in diameter. After removing waxy secretion, colour of scale is mahogany brown, very shiny, with usually three distinct dark brown lines across the dorsum.

The post-reproductive adult female is noted for its covering of white wax, which in younger specimens is fluffy and cottony, and in older specimens, hard and brittle.

Distr: CA