Quadraspidiotus perniciosus
San Jose Scale | |
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Binomial: | Quadraspidiotus perniciosus |
Order: | Hemiptera |
Metamorphosis: | Simple |
Damaging stages: | Nymphs |
Vulnerable stages: | Crawler |
San Jose scale is a pest of both orchards and ornamental plants. The insect is originally from China, but introduced in North America in the late 1900s as an invasive species.
Description edit
Circular hard scales, generally in great numbers. Adult males are winged, females remain under the scale.
Symptoms and Signs edit
Severe infestations can kill the host plant if not treated.
Host plants edit
Control edit
- Trapping: Electrical tape (sticky side out) around a branch can detect the presence of crawlers.
- Physical removal: Prune out infested branches
- Organic pesticides: Horticultural Oil (dormant spray), Neem Oil
- Predators and parasites: Wasps including Encarsia perniciosi and Aphytis spp.