Chemical Control of the Phantasma Scale, Fiorinia phantasma (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), Potential Pest of Palms and Ornamentals Plants in Florida

Authors: Ahmed, Muhammad; McKenzie, Cindy; OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Laboratory Publication
Publication Type: Rapid Release Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/2/2022
Publication Date: 3/2/2022
Citation: Ahmed, M.Z., Mckenzie, C.L., Osborne, L. 2022. Chemical Control of the Phantasma Scale, Fiorinia phantasma (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), Potential Pest of Palms and Ornamentals Plants in Florida. Laboratory Publication.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: The phantasma scale, Fiorinia phantasma, recently invaded Florida in 2018 and was reported to be in three counties. Its distribution is increasing in Florida, as we recently found it in two additional counties increasing its Florida distribution to five counties in total (Broward, Martin, Miami-Dade, Port Saint Lucie, Palm Beach). Most of its heavy infestations were found on young and old palm trees. The most recent reports are from Homeowner and Neighborhood Associations (HOA) in Palm Beach, where commercial chemical control failed to control the populations of the phantasma scale. No chemical control of this scale is established or published in the literature. We have gone through the published literature and prepared our summary to provide effective and efficient chemical control of the phantasma scale. In addition, we have gone through the Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR-4) report, screened the insecticides that have shown efficacy values over 80% against another closely related species, Fiorinia externa, and prepared a table for potentially effective insecticides against the phantasm scale. Our review and table will help landscape pest control companies, HOA communities, and homeowners apply better chemical control of phantasma scale on palms in the landscape.