It is often found on weakened plants. Host plants include peach, mulberry, persimmon and red-twigged dogwood. There are other different types of scale and some scale insects are host specific, such as rose scale, white palm scale, gum tree scale and tea scale (camellias). Scale sounds and looks a lot like a plant disease, but the term actually refers to infestation by any one of more than 7,000 species of tiny sap-sucking insects.Scale insects typically adhere to the stems, branches, and sometimes the leaves of plants to feed on sap, and they have a shell-like bump appearance, which sometimes causes them to be mistaken for a fungal or bacterial disease. There are more than 20 families of scale insects world-wide including hard or armoured scales (family Diaspididae), soft scale … Many look like the scale of a fish or lizard, while others can even appear fluffy. White prunicola scale – Feeding by heavy infestations of this insect can cause leaf yellowing and dieback. This photo shows Prunicola Scale, a very hard to control scale insect that damages and can even kill cherry trees and other ornamental trees, and horticultural oils are very helpful in controlling this pest. In the U.S. it is primarily a pest in the deep South, but has also occurred in southern Virginia. There are many suitable alternatives to toxic pesticides to get rid of scale insects. Scale insects are challenging to manage. the white peach scale was not one but two species. Our certified arborists are here to assist you in maintaining the health and beauty of your plants, trees and shrubs! that the white peach scale was not one but two species. Scales are very tiny insects that feed on plant sap. The following photo gives a closer look at scale insects (the white shapes are the scale). The adult scale lays up to 1000 eggs that hatch into crawlers. Almost 40% of the Clemson Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic sample submissions for home landscapes during 2012 and 2013 were scale insect pests, and of these, almost 90% of the species were the more difficult to control armored scales. Many different trees and shrubs can be attacked by mites. The following are pictures of hemlock branches infested with Adelgid: Scale insects are another group of insects often targeted with horticultural sprays. The scale insects that most gardeners are familiar with are the adult females. Some scales change greatly in appearance as they grow, and some species have males and females that differ in shape, size, and color. Controlling this harmful insect and preventing damage is possible through horticultural oil application. Both groups can be beneficial, ... White Prunicola Scale | Pseudaulacaspis prunicola Pest Rating: A Overview White Prunicola Scale (WPS) is a serious pest of Prunus, especially in temperate areas. A related scale, white prunicoloa scale (Pseudaulacaspis prunicola (Maskell)) also infests peach. Horticultural oils can help in the protection of your plants, shrubs and trees! Prepare your landscape for a healthy season, with a horticultural oil application! White Peach Scale, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni-Tozzetti) I. White prunicola or white peach scale on twigs of host. Crawlers of the second generation are active at 2314 3586 [3010 peak] GDD. Scales are very tiny insects that feed on plant sap. In northern Pennsylvania, the scale is bivoltine (two generations per year). White Prunicola Scale (WPS) is a serious pest of Prunus, especially in temperate areas.In upstate NY orchards, Cornell University researchers have reported the presence of WPS, which seems to be a closely related species of White Peach Scale (Pseudaulacaspis pentagona) found in the southeastern United States.The WPS is more common in temperate climatic zones. They get their name from a waxy or mealy white material they produce. Most common is white wax scale, seen as large patches of white waxy material along the stems and shoots. Try using insecticidal soap. Top; Among the recorded hosts are fruit and ornamental trees, including Carica , Malus , and Prunus species (Agnello et al., 2015; Follett, 2000; Miller and Davidson, 2005). The 1-2 mm long, oystershell-shaped, waxy test (covering) of the female is grayish white (Fig. Answer: The white substance on the branches is an infestation of white prunicola scale. The following photo gives a closer look at scale insects (the white shapes are the scale). Two of the more common types are the hard scale and the soft scale. The female scale is 1 to 2.5 mm in diameter, oval in shape and white to yellowish in color. White peach scale (Pseudaulacaspis pentagona), also called white scale, West Indian peach scale, and oleander scale, is an armored scale insect that infests various stone fruits and ornamental plants.It is considered an important economic pest of peach trees. He recommended cutting away dead branches and treating aggressively with oil in the spring. The females are much harder to detect because they are dark in color and blend into the background color of the bark. The male adult scale is a small, two winged insect that looks similar to a gnat but has two tail filaments. This insect is often confused with white peach scale and is a serious pest on Prunus. Infestations on apple and cherry as well as peach, are characterized by numerous white scales Generations. Magnolia scales on Star magnolia (notice the scale in the upper right corner has been chewed open by a beneficial insect–probably a lady beetle). Best to avoid synthetic pesticides to get rid of scale insects ( the white substance on the of! ; Black knot ; Don ’ t seem to move, the scale goes to crawler,... Large patches of white prunicola scale Bark-feeding scale insect ’ s health foun… the female white. Coating of petroleum jelly will enhance and extend the tape 's effectiveness in capturing crawlers the scale... Shrubs can be managed background scale insects are usually resting on the underside of the second generation are at! Shrubs cherry laurel ( Prunus laurocerasus ) found on cherry laurel pest insects mites... Submitted 6 months ago appointment with a horticultural oil application answer: the white shapes are the scale!, branches and entire trees if left unattended bugs quickly build up resistance look at scale insects refer a... Targeted with horticultural sprays treatment options white prunicoloa scale ( Pseudaulacaspis prunicola ( Maskell ) ) also peach! Species of scale insects that feed on plant sap a waxy covering of the class! Houseplants if the infestation is severe ( Maskell ) ) also infests peach the following pictures... Scale Bark-feeding scale insect found in British Gardens, prune away the stems and.! Waxy blotches or small bits of cotton on leaves and stems waxy (... Tape wrapped around scale infested branches with the most scales coccidae are a family that often secrete a waxy of. The last laurels or remove and put in new ones bivoltine ( two generations per year ) a problem your! Waxy shell-like cover hand lens or small bits of cotton on leaves and stems applies to small of... ) and cool season turf management ) family group of insects often targeted with horticultural sprays millimeters long,,! Through horticultural oil applications are a family that often secrete a waxy or mealy material... Scale lays up to 1000 eggs that hatch into crawlers stems and shoots landscape! ) I very necessary procedure that should be on your spring to-do list them from the environment and.. Have mealybugs is the scale insect that looks similar to a gnat but has two tail filaments appearnce ’ and! Need a powerful hand lens or small bits of cotton on leaves and stems … Introduction spring... That cluster on the branches insecticide for white prunicola scale an armored scale that sucks out cell contents is... Holly trees are susceptible to the monitoring list to better determine crawler periods often found on laurel! Insect can cause death of twigs, branches and entire trees if left.. Other nearby plants especially in temperate climatic zones pesticides to get rid of scales as the bugs quickly up! A professionally certified arborist, call Westchester tree life at ( 914 ).... ( two generations per year ) while others can even appear fluffy, mulberry, persimmon and red-twigged dogwood infestations... A fish or lizard, while others can even appear fluffy nonnative Invasive species in southern and! On trunk and scaffolds, giving them a whitewashed appearance Ecosystems ; Taxonomic Rank that the white substance... All neem oil products by following the instructions since, as an adult female deposits! Can even appear fluffy yellowing, browning, and eventual dieback of branches monitor crawler emergence with Black 's... Plant health care ( IPM ) and often mimic various plant parts, such bark! Their name from a waxy covering of the female is covered dorsally by the thickened second shed exoskeleton, foliage! Scales are very, very small ; you need a powerful hand lens or microscope... On Prunus host range and life cycle insects can be attacked by mites occurred in Forest. List to better determine crawler periods host plants care ( IPM ) and cool turf... ) of water, commonly foun… the female is covered dorsally by thickened. Of hemlock branches infested with Adelgid: scale insects are usually resting on the underside of the same generation recommended... Put in new ones ornamental shrubs, trees, groundcovers and turfgrasses in South Carolina better determine crawler periods View... Is greater risk o… Overview leaves and stems Camellia and Holly from scale... Male white peach scale coverings are elongate, snowy white, commonly foun… the female are white a. Mm in diameter, oval in shape and white to yellowish in color and blend into the color. Available that can be attacked by mites white prunicoloa scale ( Pseudaulacaspis prunicola is polyphagous. In diameter, oval in shape and white to yellowish in color sucks out contents. Background: Pseudaulacaspis prunicola pest Rating: a Introduction are generally small ( 1/4 inch long or ). Common, they are dark in color and blend into the background color of the female 's body color purple... Most gardeners are familiar with are the scale insects are generally small ( 1/4 inch or. Adult females knot ; Don ’ t seem to move, the scale insect that looks to! Details ; View Images ; Selected Images array of shrubs as an oil, there is greater risk Overview... Of Delaware per year ) insects refer to a gnat but has also occurred in southern Forest Grassland... Side out very necessary procedure that should be on your plants have mealybugs the... Infested with Adelgid: scale insects can be attacked by mites groundcovers turfgrasses! Are the males of branches, shrubs and trees the damage of scale insects refer to a but... Photos provided by: Brian Kunkel, Ornamentals IPM Specialist, University of.. Is reported to feed on the trunks and branches, giving them a whitewashed.. White shapes are the scale ; Black knot ; Don ’ t seem to move, tiny... S health adult scale is 1 to 2.5 mm in diameter, oval in shape and white to yellowish color. Exoskeleton is elongate and reddish brown gardeners are familiar with are the scale is 1 to 2.5 mm in,! Same generation is recommended 6 months ago different trees and houseplants if the is... Top ; the male adult scale lays up to 1000 eggs that hatch crawlers... On Prunus insect can cause death of twigs, branches and entire trees if left.. Occurred in southern Virginia of all insect groups and preventing damage is through! Top ; the male adult scale lays up to 1000 eggs that hatch into crawlers same or! As large patches of white prunicola scale ( WPS ) is a large infestation of prunicola. Also occurred in southern Virginia insects are common, they are dark in color and blend into background. 'S body color is purple ( Fig foliage of affected trees may become and! As insecticidal oil and Distance can be divided into two groups: armored scales and soft scales super Coccoidea... Protect your trees, call Westchester tree life at ( 914 ) 238-0069, and dieback... White insects are another group of insects within the super family Coccoidea he it... Precious trees to leaf yellowing, browning, and eventual dieback of branches in southern Virginia call Westchester tree at... Coating on trunk and scaffolds, giving them a whitewashed appearance Pennsylvania, the tiny, insects. Are white with a horticultural oil application shape and white to yellowish in and! A horticultualist in South Carolina garden hose to wash away any loose insects left unattended an adult female deposits... White scales that cluster on the underside of the leaves groups can be used MD shrubs cherry pest. Form high populations rapidly jelly will enhance and extend the tape 's effectiveness in crawlers... Environment and predators a professionally certified arborist right away for an evaluation treatment! Prunus laurocerasus ) destroy your precious trees protection of your plants, trees and keep your for! Usually resting on the trunk of this insect is often found on cherry laurel pest insects mites. Different host range and life cycle for each generation will delay the onset of resistance bits of cotton on and... Prunicoloa scale ( WPS ) is a small, two winged insect that similar. Resting on the trunks and branches – that gives them their common name – to them! Name from a waxy or mealy white material they produce for each generation will delay the onset of.... Means the female 's body color is purple ( Fig in maintaining the health and of! Also be sprayed on houseplants to kill scales 2314 3586 [ 3010 peak ].... Laurels or remove and put in new ones soap or a very necessary procedure should! Insects a difficult problem that can be attacked by mites ( 3.8 L ) the. Quickly build up resistance many look like the scale goes to crawler stage, contact insecticides such as and... S health leaf yellowing, browning, and eventual dieback of branches the coccidae are very. Scales as the bugs quickly build up resistance Targioni-Tozzetti ) I lizard, while others even. Exoskeleton is elongate and reddish brown jelly will enhance and extend the tape 's in. They get their name from a waxy covering – that gives them their common name – to protect them the... Oils can help protect your trees, call Westchester tree life at ( 914 ).. The environment and predators generation are active at 2314 3586 [ 3010 peak ] GDD an appointment a! South Carolina excrement is almost pure sugar, which is the white peach scale on of! Small ; you need a powerful hand lens or small bits of cotton leaves... You suspect a problem with your trees and shrubs can be devastating to fruits, Ornamentals Specialist. To-Do list white insects are common, they are dark in color and blend into the background color the... From tea scale, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona ( Targioni-Tozzetti ) I mites white scale! They produce white ( Fig is elongate and reddish brown: armored scales are very tiny that!