The scale insect Stigmacoccus asper (Hemiptera: Stigmacoccidae) plays an important role in oak forest ecosystems and has potential applications in honeydew honey production. Despite its importance, knowledge gaps limit a full understanding of its ecological interactions. This study investigates the biological traits of S. asper within oak forests in the Department of Boyacá. Research efforts focused on tracking its development and evaluating population dynamics under controlled laboratory settings at the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia (UPTC) in Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia. Observations conducted at 18 °C with 54% relative humidity identified four developmental stages: egg, nymph, cyst, and adult. The complete cycle lasted approximately 39 days, with the cyst phase showing the highest vulnerability, whereas the nymph stage showed optimal survival rates. Insights gained from this study increase understanding of S. asper and support its potential incorporation into sustainable beekeeping initiatives. Promoting responsible use of this non-timber forest resource aligns with conservation efforts for high-Andean forest habitats.
