Lepidosaphes ulmi

Lepidosaphes ulmi

Oystershell Scale
Type:	Insect
Binomial:	Lepidosaphes ulmi
Order:	Hemiptera
Metamorphosis:	Incomplete
Damaging stages:	Nymph through adult
Vulnerable stages:	Crawlers

Lepidosaphes ulmi also known as oystershell scale are Scale Insects that is a pest on woody plants. The small insects attach themselves to bark and cause injury by sucking the tree's sap, this metabolic drain on the plant may kill a branch or the entire tree.

Description

White scales.

Symptoms and Signs

Scales are clearly visible.

Host plants

• Acer (Maples)
• Cornus (Dogwoods)
• Hydrangea
• Ilex (Hollies)
• Lonicera (Honeysuckles)
• Salix (Willows)

Control

• Physical removal: Can be plucked off if the infestation is caught early.
• Pesticides: Imidicloprid
• Organic pesticides: Neem and oil on crawlers

References

• Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet