This
photo shows a Dracaena marginata "Magenta" infected with
Florida Red Scale. Notice the large circular spotting of scale damage on
the top side of the leaves. Some Florida Red Scale are also visible on
the top of the leaves.
| Latin name: |
Chrysomphalus aonidum,
Hemiberlesia lataniae, Pinnaspis aspidsitrae, Pseudaulacaspis
cockerelli to name a few. |
| Common name: |
Florida Red scale, Latania
scale, Fern scale and False Oleander scale. |
| Description: |
Most scale insects are
round or oblong in shape. They come in a wide variety of colors.
Some scales are soft bodied and some scales carry a shell like
armor on their back. |
| Hosts: |
There are so many
different species of Scale... they can infect nearly any plant. |
| Life cycle: |
Each species of scale has
a different life cycle. Here is the life cycle of Soft Brown
scale. The complete life cycle from birth to death can take up 60
days. Each female can produce up to 1000 eggs under her
protective shell. The eggs hatch and the crawlers eat their way
out of the parent. This is only stage at which scales are mobile
seeking out a location on a plant to live out the rest of it's
life... starting the cycle over again. Some males of certain
species of scales are winged. |
| Natural control: |
Scale is very difficult to
control with out chemicals... but one could try this. Pick all the
scale you can find with your fingers being careful not to drop any
on the soil or re-infection will occur. Next follow up with weekly
sprays of Safer's Ultra Fine Oil. Repeat this treatment weekly for
two months. |
| Chemical control: |
Add systemic to the soil.
Spray with Malathion. A mixture of Dycarb/Orthene helps... several
applications will be required. As with all chemicals be sure to
follow label directions and wear appropriate safety equipment. |
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