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.[1] The family includes about 100 species in 10 genera found in the Nearctic, Indomalayan and Palaearctic realms.[1]
The first instars are called "crawlers".[2] They are less than long, salmon-colored, and wingless with well-developed legs.[2] 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.[2]