Cycad Aulacaspis Scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui) Introduced: 1996 (Miami-Dade County), to other male scales species). Male native to Thailand. scales typically outnumber the females on infested plants. Current Infestation: Forty-five Florida counties including all of south Florida. Seasonality: The cycad aulacaspis scale is present year-round particularly in Description/Biology: The cycad south Florida. Populations tend to aulacaspis scale, also called cycad scale, increase as temperatures become Asian scale, Asian cycad scale, and sago warmer. scale, is an armored scale. Its appearance is similar to the magnolia Hosts: In Florida, it has been observed white scale, another scale found on on three families of cycads (Cycadaceae, cycads and numerous other ornamental Zamiaceae, and Stangeriaceae). Cycas plants. species seems most preferred, However, cycad particularly the commonly planted queen aulacaspis scale and king sago (Cycas circinalis and is only found on Cycas revoluta). cycads and in much higher concentrations.
The female armor is white, less than 1/16 inch long (1.2 to 1.6 mm), and may be pear or irregularly shaped. The male armor is white, very small about ¼ inch long (0.5 to 0.6 mm) and elongate with parallel ridges (looks similar
Importance: Cycad aulacaspis scale is Male a very serious pest because it can cause severe damage and will ultimately kill the host plant. Also, this pest is easily Female spread by the movement of crawlers in the wind to other cycads. Female
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Cycad Aulacaspis Scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui) Damage: Crawlers (newly hatched eggs) Professional and Grower - Foliar initially infest the trunk and base of the insecticides and oils can be used, leaves. But the however, complete coverage and repeat scale will also applications are important and necessary. infest the Foliar: acephate, acetamiprid, cones, seeds, dinotefuran, malathion, or pyriproxyfen. roots, and However, malathion and acephate are ultimately both more likely to reduce natural enemy surfaces of the populations. leaves. Initially you will see chlorotic Soil: dinotefuran. spots on the leaves and the scales can Always follow pesticide label directions. be found on the underside of the leaves. Damaged leaves Biological Control: Two natural enemies eventually turn (a predaceous beetle, Cybocephalus brown. Severely nipponicus, and a infested cycads parasitic wasp, will appear to be Coccobius white because fulvus) were they are covered in scales. Eventually, plant death occurs. introduced to Management: It is important to monitor Florida in 1997/98. for crawlers in the spring and treat before Both have become populations build up. established in many areas in southern Florida and Dead scales are persistent on the plant contribute to the control of the scale. for several months. To determine if the Neither one of these natural enemies scales are dead, scrape some off with provides complete control. your fingernail. If they are dry and powdery, the scales are dead. If slightly Websites: moist or gooey, the scales are alive. http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/orn/palms/ cycad_scale.htm Homeowner - 1) Wash the plant with a http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN253 vigorous spray of water to clean off dead http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN474 and live scales. 2) Apply a horticultural oil (Organocide, SunSpray oil, or Ultra-Fine oil) over the entire plant once a week for Authors: Catharine Mannion, UF/IFAS, TREC Homestead one month. 3) If plants are heavily Adrian Hunsberger, UF/IFAS, Miami-Dade Extension infested, remove the leaves before Kim Gabel, UF/IFAS, Monroe Extension treatment. Place removed leaves in a Eileen Buss, UF/IFAS, Entomology Dept., Gainesville Lyle Buss, UF/IFAS, Entomology Dept., Gainesville durable plastic bag and throw out with household trash. Photo Credits: UF/IFAS, Holly Glenn
August 2006
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