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Latin Name: Lacciferidae
Common Name: Lac Insects
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Some native species occur in North America
Biology:
Lac insects are scales that are still used to produce fine lacquer for finishes on woodworking, primarily produced in Asian countries. The copious quantities of the wax secreted by the female scale insect is scraped off the branches and then processed to create the lacquer material in dry form.
Identification:
Lac scale is usually identified by the large and irregular masses of wax adhering to the twigs of shrubs or small trees. The color may range from brown to yellow to orange.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
These insects are generally a curiosity on native plants and no control is needed.
Latin Name: Hemiberlesia lataniae
Common Name: Latania Scale
Latin Family Name: Diaspididae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Believed to be native to Europe, but now present in all tropical and many temperate regions of the world.
Biology:
The scale has a wide host range that includes avocado, bamboo, banana, orchids, palms, guava, mango, oleander, rose, sugarcane, and many other trees and shrubs. When present in heavy numbers the scales cause yellowing of leaves, deformation of plant parts, death of outer twigs and entire plants. The entire life cycle in tropical regions may take only 30 days. The crawler stage does not feed, but wanders to soft foliage and within a few hours or a few days becomes sessile and begins creating a wax shell. As they molt the previous skin (called the exuvium) is pressed into the growing wax shell, forming a characteristic dot at the center. There may
Latin Name: Neolecanium cornuparvum
Common Name: Magnolia scale
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
This is a native insect in eastern North America.
Biology:
This is one of the largest scale insects in North America with the wax scales growing to ½ inch across. It attacks primarily various species of magnolia trees, and while it rarely causes serious damage the wax and honeydew will cover large areas of the bark. Heavy infestations can cause branch dieback, and if left unchecked trees can be killed. Tiny nymphs overwinter on twigs, becoming active and feeding again in the spring. These develop to tiny winged males and the sessile females that continue to expand. In mid to late summer they produce eggs and then crawlers, and these migrate to suitable feeding sites and remain there through the winter.
Identification:
The very large size and overall dark gray color, along with white wax over the shell, are diagnostic.
Latin Name: Carulaspis minima
Common Name: Minute Cypress Scale
Latin Family Name: Diaspididae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to the western hemisphere, where it is found primarily in southern states and in the Caribbean.
Biology:
The scale infests a variety of conifers, but is most prevalent on juniper, cypress, redwoods, and a few other ornamental shrubs or trees. It is found on the needles in any growth stage, and occasionally on the green cones. Males and females mate in the fall with the females overwintering on the trees. In the spring they lay around 40 eggs, and in favorable climates there may be 2 generations in a season. The mobile crawlers move to new parts of the plant, and may be spread to other plants by wind or on animals that move from plant to plant. Cuttings from an infested plant also may carry the scales to new areas further away.
Identification:
This is a
Latin Name: Kermes spp.
Common Name: Oak kermes
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
These are native insects in North America.
Biology:
There are as many as 32 species of oak kermes scales in North America, and they occur throughout the continent where oaks are present. While natural enemies do tend to contain these scales they can cause dieback and defoliation when present in heavy numbers. They also create a great deal of sooty mold that drips onto surfaces below. Each female lays up to 3,200 eggs in early spring, and these hatch within a month. This first generation matures by mid-summer and a second generation may occur in warmer climates. First and second instars overwinter in crevices on the bark of the host tree.
Identification:
The mature females create a wax cover that may be from 5 to 8 mm across. It is light brown to whitish and very bulbous in shape, with 4 or 5 distinct lines or indentations running across
Latin Name: Parthenolecanium quercifex
Common Name: Oak lecanium
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Possibly a native insect in North America.
Biology:
This scale can be found throughout North America where host plants are grown. Severe infestations can stunt the growth of the plant and lead to premature loss of leaves. A female may deposit several thousand eggs that hatch in early spring. The crawlers then move about to new locations to feed until late summer when they molt to the second instar. This stage then moves back to narrow twigs, creates a wax shell over itself, and overwinters in this stage.
Identification:
This odd looking scale is dark brown and strongly raised off of the twig. The highest point is slightly offset from the center as a distinct rounded ridge, and the wax scale then narrows and flattens toward each end. The scale ranges from 2 to 6 mm in length, depending on its age, and it may have some
Latin Name: Asterolecanium Spp.
Common Name: Oak Pit Scale
Latin Family Name: Asterolecaniidae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Uncertain, but probably native to North America. It is found throughout the U.S. where it infests many species of oak trees.
Biology:
The female overwinters in the pit she has caused, beginning egg production beneath the wax cover in mid-spring, and continuing egg production for several months. The mobile crawlers emerge and quickly settle onto fresh twigs no more than 1 year old. They insert their mouthparts and become sessile at this point until the end of their life. They are more common on deciduous oaks, and are particularly common in oaks found in landscape settings.
Identification:
As the scale feeds on the bark of twigs the plant responds by creating a distinctive circular depression with the scale inside. In heavy infestations the feeding cause twig dieback
Latin Name: Melanaspis obscura
Common Name: Obscure scale
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
A probable native insect in North America.
Biology:
This scale is primarily a pest of eastern North America in hardwoods of oak, pecan, elm, hickory, and hackberry, and chestnut found in landscape settings. The scales may be found on softer bark of twigs, trunks of young trees, and even exposed roots. Heavy infestations can weaken trees due to loss of sap and extensive covering of the bark that interferes with movement of oxygen into the tree. Trees are rarely killed but dieback of outer growth may occur. Eggs are deposited and hatch throughout the warm months, and crawlers move about on the tree until they finally settle onto one place and become sessile, now covering themselves with a wax shell. Males and females mate in early summer and the female produces a large batch of eggs under her wax shell. Just prior to crawler emergence the
Latin Name: Aspidiotus nerii
Common Name: Oleander Scale
Latin Family Name: Diaspididae
Other Names: Ivy Scale
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to the deserts of southern California, but now found worldwide in warm or arid environments where imported plants have brought the insect to that region. Present throughout the U.S. and in Hawaii.
Biology:
Despite its common name this scale insect feeds on many varieties of plants, including oleander, olive, ivy, camphor, palms, stonefruits, pear, and others. This species has a very rapid life cycle, completing it from egg to a new mature egg-laying adult in just over one month. Several generations are possible each year, with females averaging 90 eggs that are deposited beneath their wax cover. The mobile crawlers emerge and move about on the plant for a few hours to a few days, finally inserting their mouthparts into plant tissue and remaining there for the remainder
Latin Name: Lapidosaphes ulmi
Common Name: Oystershell Scale
Latin Family Name: Diaspididae
Other Names: Likely many regional names, as there are many shapes and forms to this scale, and it originally was described as several different species. It is also found throughout the world and infests hundreds of different plants.
Pest Details
Origin:
Thought to have originated in temperate Eurasia, but now found throughout the world.
Biology:
Major host plants include ash, aspen, cottonwood, lilac, maple, poplar, willow, apple, and dogwood, but over 130 kinds of trees or shrubs in the U.S. are known hosts. The various forms of the scale are given names like lilac form, brown form, banded form, gray form, or apple form. There appears to be a single generation in northern states but possibly two generations in southern states. Where there is one generation the female deposits her eggs under her wax cover