Filtering by tag: Scale Insects ✕

Calico Scales About to Hatch!

Calico scale, Eulecanium cerasorum, was accidentally introduced to California from Asia in the 1920s. It has now become established in many eastern and north-central states. Calico scales attack…

Monitor False Oleander Scales

False oleander scale, Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli, is a tropical and subtropical pest originally from China. False oleander scale is common throughout many southern states but just reaches the very…

Wax scale on the twig of a nursery-grown maple. Photo: S.D. Frank

Wax Scales Hatching on Many Common Host Plants

There are a couple species of wax scales (Ceroplastes spp.) in North Carolina. Common ones include Indian wax scale and Florida wax scale. They look very similar and are managed similarly. Both are…

Crape myrtle bark scales on a branch collar of crape myrtle. Photo: SD Frank

Time to Scout for Crape Myrtle Bark Scale

Crape myrtles have typically been almost maintenance free (unless you top them) but with the new crape myrtle bark scale the will will require some pest management to stay healthy and beautiful.…

Oak eriococcid scales on a willow oak twig. Photo: AG Dale

Felt Scales on Oaks

Felt scales are a family of scales that include azalea bark scale (Acanthococcus azaleae), crape myrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae), European elm scale (Gossyparia spurius), and oak…

Oak lecanium scales and eggs on willow oak. Photo: SD Frank

Lecanium Scales Full of Eggs

Oak lecanium scale and European fruit lecanium are nearly identical soft scales that infest oaks and many other tree species including redbud, dogwood, maple, fruit trees, and others. In spring…

Cottony maple leaf scale, Pulvinaria acericola, ovisacs on dogwood leaves. Photo: SD Frank

Cottony Maple Leaf Scales Producing Eggs

Cottony Maple Leaf Scale is one of several cottony scales in the genus Pulvinaria. Cottony camellia scale and cottony maple scale are the other common species. You can find these now on their most…

Hypoaspis spp. larvae on willow oak bark. These are larve of specialist lady beetles that eat scale insects. Photo:SD Frank

Watch for Predators That Look Like Pests

Yesterday on campus willow oak trees I found lots of insects that looked like mealybugs. But they were faster than mealybugs and constantly moving around the tree bark. Mealybugs don’t move much. It…

Cottony cushion scales on magnolia. Photo:SD Frank

Watch for Cottony Cushion Scales

Cottony cushion scale is an exotic pest that has been in the US for over a century. Initially a pest of citrus in California cottony cushion scale is now a pest of many crops including ornamentals…

Tulip tree scales and white fluffy lady beetle larvae on a tulip poplar twig. Photo:SD Frank

Natural Enemies in Disguise

Tulip tree scales and other soft scales are maturing and producing a lot of honeydew. This makes people notice them and want to do something. Before you do take a closer look at scale and aphid…