[2] The cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi, is a serious commercial pest on many families of woody plants, including Citrus.

[1][5] Giant scales occur on a wide range of host plants but most of these are trees or woody shrubs.

[2] Giant scales have an elongated oval body; many species grow to a length of one centimetre long and the African species Aspidoproctus maximus achieves 35 mm long.

[6] The adult females of the family have six dark coloured legs and conspicuous antennae.

Giant scales infest the stems, branches and leaves of their host plant.