Lecanium scales vary greatly in size, color, and shape, depending somewhat on the host plant they inhabit. In general, after egg-laying the female scale turns brown, becomes brittle, and hemispherical. Before egg-laying, the scale may be quite flat or highly convex and may range from a light tan to a purplish-white. The lecanium scales range in size from the 1/8-inch terrapin scale up to the 1/2-inch hickory lecanium scale.