These strange-looking insects feed on maple sap by inserting fine, thread-like mouthparts (stylets) into cells beneath the bark of twigs and small branches. The cottony maple scale (Pulvinaria innumerabilis) is oval, approximately 0.3 inch (8 mm) long, reddish-brown, and convex with a median range. The reddish-brown scale and its large, white cottony egg sac resemble a piece of popcorn (Fig. 73). The smaller lecanium scale (Parthenolecanium sp.) (Fig. 74) varies in size and color but usually is reddish-brown. No cottony sac is produced and eggs are concealed beneath its body. This insect excretes large amounts of sugary honeydew that frequently supports growth of sooty mold fungi which impart unsightly black films on branches and objects beneath heavily infested twigs.