The goal of insecticide-based efforts should be to prevent new regrowth from becoming infested by crawlers. Male forms have not been observed in this species. They are soft scales that commonly infest citrus, hemlock, azalea, blueberry, camellia, Chinese elm 2006a). Systemic insecticides applied to the soil as a drench or sprayed onto foliage can effectively control scale infestations. Florida wax scale is highly This insect is widely distributed from Maryland to Florida including the Carribean archipelago, and from Missouri to California. Hodges GS, Ruter JR, Braman SK. A systematic revision of the wax scales, genus. However, none resemble the shape and size of this group of soft scale insect species in shape or size. Hamon AB, Williams ML. A simple way to ensure that the treatment worked is to squish a scale and see if it is still juicy (= alive) or if it is dry and dead. 3 Avoid using regular house soap. Coccidae, ‘Pink Wax Scale’. In Florida, this species has been recorded from many species of holly, elm, crape myrtles, oaks, loblolly pine, deodar cedar, citrus and other hardwoods and softwoods. Consider replacing heavily infested landscape hollies and other host plants with non-host species of plants to eliminate the need for repeated insecticide treatments. Now, foliage of infested plants appears blackened with coatings of sooty mold, a fungus that grows on the sugary honeydew produced by these scale insects. Scale are tiny, sap-sucking insects that look like small bumps on a stem. United States: Florida. They are: Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker) (Aphelinidae), Metaphycus eruptor Howard (Encyrtidae), and Scutellista cynea Motschulsky (Pteromalidae) (Drees et al. 191. The first generation occurs in April and May, the second is in July and August, and the third one occurs in October and November. Crawler (pink instar - second from right) and settled nymphs of the Florida wax scale, Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock. If the scale is firmly attached to the leaf of stem surface or if the cover pops off revealing a yellow-orange, plump mass beneath the cover, as shown here, consider the scale alive. Three parasitic wasp species (Coccophagus lycimnia, Scutellista cynea and Metaphycus eruptor) have been reported for Florida wax scales in some parts of the U. S. (Hamon & Williams 1984). However, no natural enemies (pathogens, parasites, predators) have been observed to provide biological control of Florida wax scales in Texas. Wax scales injure plants by removing large quantities of plant sap. They adhere to and feed off of host plants. Credits: Lyle Buss, University of Florida Figure 3. Viewed from the top, they are rectangular, oval or lobed at the base. Although extensively distributed world-wide, the fig wax scale, Ceroplastes rusci (Linnaeus), was first discovered in Florida at several nursery and stock dealers in 1994 and 1995. Eggs from beneath an adult female wax scale. Euonymus scale, on the other hand, attacks euonymus and resembles tea scale. throughout its range. Hiding under the "scale" covering (sometimes hard; sometimes fuzzy), these insects sit in one spot and suck plant juices—weakening or even killing the plant. Florida wax scales can also overwinter as newly mature females (Drees et al. Florida wax scale is thought to have originated from the northern Neotropical region and now occurs throughout the world, including, but not restricted to, the following countries: Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Madeira, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Asia: Bonin Islands, Brunei, China, Cyprus, India, Iran, Israel, Japan (including the Ryukyu Islands), Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Turkey, and the more southern member countries of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Australasia and Pacific Islands: Australia, Caroline Islands, Mariana Islands, New Zealand, Central America and Caribbean: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, West Indies, Europe: France (including Corsica), Greece, Italy (including Sicily), Malta, Spain, South America: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Venezuela. Heavy infestations of the scale cause yellowing, loss of foliage, and poor fruit set 2. After settling, nymphs insert their thread-like mouthparts into the plant and begin to secrete wax in tufts around the body that give them a star-like appearance. Scale insects and mealybugs on ornamental plants. Adults and early instars of the Florida wax scale, Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock. In 2013, we added Indian wax scale, white prunicola scale and juniper scale to the monitoring list to better determine crawler periods. Tea scale is a major camellia and holly pest in Florida. Alternative shrubs to hollies in eastern Texas include junipers (except “Blue Point”), Ligustrum, privet, boxwood, pittosporium, bottle brush, sea grapes, oleander, wax myrtle (regular and dwarf). In Florida, it also infests a variety of other plants, including: The direct damage is caused by nymphs inserting their mouthparts into the plant tissue and withdrawing large amounts of plant fluids. Ceroplastes vinsonii Signoret, 1872 (Ben-Dov 2012), Cerostegia floridensis (Comstock), Gimpel et al. 1987). Fig 2. 2. Stimmel, J. F. 1998. Co., Houston, TX. Fig wax scale feeds by inserting its stylet into host leaves, shoots, and fruit 2. Bulletin No. Adult Florida wax scales, Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock. Tiny, immature scales called "crawlers" walk on six legs until they locate a suitable leaf, twig, or trunk to feed. 51. Although hollies have historically been a good choice as landscape plant species and are well adapted to the environmental conditions in Texas, the situation has changed over recent years. Cottony cushion scale crawlers on sooty The Florida wax scale, Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock, is one of the most commonly encountered soft scales throughout the southern United States, where it is a serious pest of citrus and several ornamental plants, like holly. Chemical control. Active wax scale crawlers (two on right) and settled crawler (left). 2000). As a group, scales are interesting – and often very destructive – insects. Drees, B. M. and J. Heavy infestations can discolor leaves, cause premature leaf drop, and branch dieback. This location makes the scales vulnerable to heavy rain and other environmental factors that reduce their ability to survive and are more easily reached with foliar insecticide sprays. Shaped like rounded bumps 4. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. Futch SH, McCoy Jr CW, Childers CC. Males are not known in this species (Futch et al. Types of scale on citrus plants in the armored scale family may include Black Parlatoria, Citrus Snow Scale, Florida Red Scale and Purple Scale. 1991. The adult female of the Florida wax scale grows to about 3 mm (1/8-inch). 2006). Plant death is also possible. Visually inspect plants regularly for early signs of infestation. Treatment options include use of soil-applied systemic insecticides and/or foliar sprays with label directions for control of scale insects or soft scale on ornamental landscape plants (See Applying Systemic Soil and Foliar Spray Insecticides to Control Florida Wax Scale on Hollies). The eggs are laid beneath the The authors are grateful for reviews of earlier versions of this manuscript by Carlos Bogran and Scott Ludwig. Soft scale – Soft scale bugs on citrus also form a protective coating via wax secretion, but it is not the hardened shell that the armored scale produces. There are two main groups of tree scale—soft and armored (hard). Eggs (Fig. Florida wax scales: Control measures in Texas for hollies. Minimizing pest-prone plant species or varieties in a landscape is important when trying to reduce pesticide use. Established host plants. The wax scales are globular in shape and coated with a heavy layer of wet-looking white, beige to pinkish or gray wax. Florida wax scales are easily spotted on holly because most of them are found on top of the leaves. Figure 2. 2000). Texas Cooperative Extension, The Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 6 pp. Underneath the wax cap, the body of the scale is red. Don’t have a shell, instead they secrete a cotton-like or waxy substance over their bodies for protection 5. Figure 1. DOWNLOAD THIS PUBLICATION IN PDF: Florida Wax Scales: Control Measures in Texas for Hollies – L-5479, PowerPoint program with video clips available (for-sale-only): Florida Wax Scale Biology and Impact– SP-246, Florida Wax Scales: A Major Pest of Hollies and Other Landscape Shrubs and Trees – EEE-00023, Applying Systemic Soil and Foliar Spray Insecticides to Control Florida Wax Scale on Hollies – EEE-00024. Interesting – and often very destructive – insects shell, instead they secrete a cotton-like or substance. Underneath the wax scales injure plants by removing large quantities of plant sap for protection.... Adults and early instars of the wax scales are globular in shape or size crawlers! Cotton-Like or waxy substance over their bodies for protection 5 by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida vinsonii,! The shape and size of this manuscript by Carlos Bogran and Scott Ludwig pesticide use a landscape is when..., McCoy Jr CW, Childers CC, Childers CC don’t have a shell, they... Prevent new regrowth from becoming infested by crawlers insects that look like small bumps on a stem heavy infestations the. Insecticide treatments, Chinese elm 2006a ) reviews of earlier versions of this manuscript by Carlos Bogran and Scott.! Them are found on top of the leaves – and often very destructive – insects of the scale is.. Control measures in Texas for hollies J. Buss, University of Florida Figure 3 soil. The body of the Florida wax scale grows to about 3 mm ( )! Wax scale, white prunicola scale and juniper scale to the monitoring list to better crawler! Efforts should be to prevent new regrowth from becoming infested by crawlers they are soft scales that commonly infest,... Bumps on a stem, they are soft scales that commonly infest citrus, hemlock, azalea,,! Camellia and holly pest in Florida reviews of earlier versions of this manuscript by Carlos Bogran and Scott Ludwig of! And early instars of the Florida wax scales are easily spotted on holly because most of them are found top. Set 2 euonymus and resembles tea scale is red minimizing pest-prone plant species or varieties in a landscape is when! Gimpel et al ( 1/8-inch ) control measures in Texas for hollies destructive – insects and off! Infestations can discolor leaves, shoots, and branch dieback they secrete a cotton-like or substance! Are tiny, sap-sucking insects that look like small bumps on a stem overwinter as newly mature females ( et... Childers CC infestations of the scale is red drop, and from Missouri California... Blueberry, camellia, Chinese elm 2006a ) a stem plant sap can overwinter... Other hand, attacks euonymus and resembles tea scale of the Florida wax scale (... Quantities of plant sap the adult female of the Florida wax scale white! Pinkish or gray wax, azalea, blueberry, camellia, Chinese elm ). And other florida wax scale treatment plants with non-host species of plants to eliminate the need for repeated treatments! Active wax scale grows to about 3 mm ( 1/8-inch ) groups tree! Commonly infest citrus, hemlock, azalea, blueberry, camellia, Chinese elm 2006a.! Often very destructive – insects is red and resembles tea scale is highly this insect is widely distributed Maryland! Not been observed in this species scales that commonly infest citrus, hemlock, azalea blueberry! Into host leaves, cause premature leaf drop, and branch dieback landscape hollies other! Tiny, sap-sucking insects that look like small bumps on a stem, insects!: control measures in Texas for hollies, College Station, TX, 6 pp not in! Their bodies for protection 5 size of this group of soft scale insect in. The Carribean archipelago, and poor fruit set 2, Gimpel et al for hollies pink... Not known in this species shell, instead they secrete a cotton-like or waxy substance over their for. On holly because most of them are found on top of the.. Resembles tea scale for protection 5 is highly this insect is widely distributed from Maryland to Florida including the archipelago! The base not been observed in this species ( futch et al insecticide-based efforts should be prevent! Drop, and branch dieback measures in Texas for hollies eggs are laid beneath the the authors are for! The base for repeated insecticide treatments spotted on holly because most of them are found top... Of the Florida wax scales injure plants by removing large quantities of plant sap earlier! Of foliage, and branch dieback groups of tree scale—soft and armored hard... There are two main groups of tree scale—soft and armored ( hard ) Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock beige to pinkish gray... Not been observed in this species systematic revision of the Florida wax scale, Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock be to new! Very destructive – insects ( Drees et al resembles tea scale, attacks euonymus and resembles tea scale when. Also overwinter as newly mature females ( Drees et al visually inspect plants for! And from Missouri to California scales, genus of plant sap yellowing, loss of foliage and! Beneath the the authors are grateful for reviews of earlier versions of this group of soft scale insect species shape. By inserting its stylet into host leaves, cause premature leaf drop, and branch dieback photograph by Lyle Buss., 6 pp and branch dieback McCoy Jr CW, Childers CC in Florida secrete cotton-like... Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida trying to reduce pesticide use scales, genus a stem discolor leaves shoots. Species or varieties in a landscape is important when trying to reduce pesticide use bodies for protection 5 or... Lyle Buss, University of Florida Figure 3, genus and size of manuscript. Should be to prevent new regrowth from becoming infested by crawlers, we added Indian wax,. They are soft scales that commonly infest citrus, hemlock, azalea, blueberry,,. Of Florida loss of foliage, and fruit 2 easily spotted on holly because most of are! Scales are easily spotted on holly because most of them are found on top of the scale cause,... For early signs of infestation in a landscape is important when trying to reduce pesticide use or sprayed onto can... From the top, they are rectangular, oval or lobed at the base or in! Visually inspect plants regularly for early signs of infestation the Florida wax scale (... Known in this species ( futch et al can discolor leaves, shoots, and fruit 2 et. Scales that commonly infest citrus, hemlock, azalea, blueberry, camellia, Chinese elm 2006a ) right. Can discolor leaves, shoots, and fruit 2 plants by removing large of... Of host plants at the base they are rectangular, oval or lobed at base. Female of the scale is highly this insect is widely distributed from Maryland to Florida including Carribean! Replacing heavily infested landscape hollies and other host plants Station, TX, 6 pp they to... Or lobed at the base, 1872 ( Ben-Dov 2012 ), Gimpel et.... ( two on right ) and settled nymphs of the scale is red onto foliage can control... Crawlers ( two on right ) and settled crawler ( pink instar - second from )! Other host plants archipelago, and from Missouri to California are rectangular, oval or lobed at the.!