What is the San Jose scale's scientific name?

What is the San Jose scale's scientific name?

• A. Aonidiella orientalis
• B. Diaspidella porcellus
• C. Parasaissetia nigra
• D. Comstockaspis perniciosus

Answer: (D)

The San Jose scale is a scale insect and its species name identifies it precisely, which is Comstockaspis perniciosus. This name reflects how taxonomic classifications have shifted over time; older literature often lists it as Quadraspidiotus perniciosus, but current references commonly use Comstockaspis perniciosus to reflect its place in the Diaspididae family. The other names are different scale insects—oriental scale, black scale, and another diaspidid species—so they do not represent the San Jose scale.

The San Jose scale is a scale insect and its species name identifies it precisely, which is Comstockaspis perniciosus. This name reflects how taxonomic classifications have shifted over time; older literature often lists it as Quadraspidiotus perniciosus, but current references commonly use Comstockaspis perniciosus to reflect its place in the Diaspididae family. The other names are different scale insects—oriental scale, black scale, and another diaspidid species—so they do not represent the San Jose scale.