Scale insects

Coccoidea, includes mealybugs (Pseudococcidae), soft scales (Coccidae) and Diaspididae

Profile

Scale insects, as plant aphids (Sternorrhyncha), are among the most important pests. They predominantly infest woody plants, where they feed on plant sap.

Appearance

The size and appearance of scale insects can vary greatly depending on the species. Most species are between 0.8 and 6 mm in size, although some species can grow significantly larger.

Scale insects are characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism in the adult stage. Females are wingless and, in some species, are immovably sessile with their proboscis anchored to the plant by complete reduction of the limbs. They usually possess a hard dorsal shield, which serves as protection for the offspring after the females die. Females are often covered by a protective waxy layer that may appear shiny to woolly. The considerably smaller males are usually winged.

Biology

The female scale insects can usually be found in large colonies on leaves, petioles, shoots and branches of the infested plants, where they perform sucking activities with their proboscis. Not only the females themselves live protected under the shields, but also their eggs. In the case of cup and cap scale aphids, the first larval stage is mobile, while all older stages are sessile. The mealybugs, on the other hand, are very active until they lay their eggs. Males are winged and do not cause direct damage. In addition to sexual reproduction, scale insects can also reproduce parthenogenetically.

Damage symptoms

The pests occur on various agricultural crops and often on houseplants. The presence of scale insects is usually easily recognized by the immobile scales on the infested plant. When they occur in masses, significant damage can result. By withdrawing plant sap from the phloem, the infested plant loses carbohydrates and nitrogen. In the long term, severely infested plants may show signs of emaciation and stunted growth. If the sticky excretions (honeydew) of the scale insects are deposited on the plant parts and are not washed off, black fungi grow on them - a phenomenon known as "sooty mold", which can cause loss of photosynthetic efficiency and even death symptoms on the plants. In addition, scale insects can also transmit various plant viruses.

Host plants

Most scale insects are polyphagous, i.e. they suck on several host plants; a few species are specialized on only one type of plant or on certain parts of the plant. Scale insects are very common on palms, citrus plants, or oleander. In addition to fruit trees and berry bushes, grapevine can also be infested by scale insects. Scale insects occurring on grapevine are the cup scale insects(Pulvinaria vitis, Parthenolecanium corni, Parthenolecanium persicae) and the mealybugs(Heliococcus bohemicus, Phenacoccus aceris).

Distribution

About 3,000 scale insect species are known worldwide; about 90 of them are found in Central Europe.

Propagation and transmission

Since most developmental stages of scale insects are sessile, only the mobile stages are able to actively move and spread. Passive dispersal by wind and ants is of much greater importance. In viticulture, scale insects can also be spread by foliage work and implements.

Economic importance

There are some scale insect species that are of economic importance. For example, the San José scale insect, a dangerous fruit pest that can cause the death of woody plants within a few years if no control is applied.

Prevention and control

  • Regular control of the plants
  • Avoid overfertilization of the plant
  • Pruning of infested plant parts
  • Brushing/scraping off the shields
  • In case of heavy infestation: use of plant protection products e.g. pyrethrins or oils, systemic products which the aphids ingest while sucking (see list of plant protection products approved in Austria)
  • Promotion of natural counterparts: For example, in vineyards there is usually a well-functioning natural regulation. The natural enemies of scale insects are predominantly small wasps, between 0.8 to 2.0 mm in size, from the superfamily of chalcid wasps (Chalcidoidea). Parasitization rates of over 90% are not uncommon. Other natural enemies of the (vine) scale insects are ladybugs, velvet mites, lacewing larvae, predatory bugs and also the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri.

Specialized information

Literature

Klausnitzer, B., 1997. coccina, scale insects. In: Rieger, W. (Ed.), Special zoology part 1: protozoa and invertebrates. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, 654-655.

Last updated: 12.07.2022

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