Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research
Title: Obscure scale: A stealthy pest of pecanAuthor
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Submitted to: Pecan South
Publication Type: Trade Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 1/7/2020 Publication Date: 2/1/2020 Citation: Cottrell, T.E. 2020. Obscure scale: A stealthy pest of pecan. Pecan South. 52(12):24-30. Interpretive Summary: Obscure scale is a common but overlooked pest of pecan. Detection of infestations and determining living versus dead scale is important for enacting control measures and determining their efficacy. Dormant oil sprays (2%) can provide good control of scale insects, including obscure scale, but tall pecan trees are problematic regarding achieving sufficient oil coverage. However, because this pest has one generation per year, monitoring emergence of crawlers allows application of insecticides against a stage that is not protected by the scale covering. Technical Abstract: Obscure scale, Melanaspis obscura (Marlatt) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is a common but overlooked pest of pecan. Detection of infestations and determining living versus dead scale is important for enacting control measures and determining their efficacy. Dormant oil sprays can provide good control of scale insects, including M. obscura, but tall pecan trees are problematic regarding achieving sufficient oil coverage. However, because this pest is univoltine, monitoring emergence of first instars allows application of chemical control against a stage that is not protected by the scale covering. |
