Like the cottony maple scale and other soft scales, the lecanium scales excrete large amounts of honey-dew with its attendant nuisance factor. Whenthe bump itself can be squashed it is likely to be some othertype of scale. ROTATE between Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC #) Format: [IRAC Group #]: Chemical name (Trade names) [1A]: Carbaryl … As its name suggests, cottony maple scale (Pulvinaria innumerabilis) affects mostly maple trees (predominantly silver and red maples). Mature females are pale to dark brown, convex, and about 3-6 mm long (Fig. Sprays are often ineffective and can worsen the condition if done in May and June, because beneficial predatory insects are killed while the adult scales are largely resistant to treatment by sprays. Pest description and damage Mature cottony maple scale are small, flat, oval, brown insects 0.25 to 0.375 inch in diameter. Cottony Maple Scale . If these were my trees, I'd strive to keep them healthy and try my hand at the insecticidal soap or oil this month and next. for longer lasting scale control. The good news-bad news is that insecticides used to control cottony maple scale can also kill good insects. This scale's life cycle is slightly different that the cottony maple scale, with the eggs hatching slightly sooner in June or early July. The cottony maple scale (Pulvinaria innumerabilis) is one of the largest and most conspicuous scale insects in this country.Its favored host is maple trees, although it has been found on a number of other species as well. These little buggers are so tiny and sneaky. It is also reported on beautyberry, jasmine, mulberry, and hydrangea. Ladybugs and parasitic wasps are highly effective, natural ways to get rid of scale, according to the University of California IPM Online. Cottony camellia scales, Pulvinaria floccifera, are cream to tan, elongate oval, and relatively flat.They are also called cottony taxus scales as this scale is a fairly common pest of yew. Their eggs are white to pale yellow and are meshed in a white, cottony … The body enlarges several times greater than the overwintering scale, resembling a kernel of popcorn. Scale insects are identified by a hard shell that protects them from predators and the weather. The soil injected product may go into those branches and give more thorough control. Don't feed now as doing so may force out new growth. However, in some years, the scale population increases above “normal” and becomes large enough to get noticed. The beetle adults and larvae break into the ovisacs and eat the egg masses. Several types of tiny wasps also attack the nymphs as they settle in on the foliage. The Cottony Maple Scale will survive over winter and pester the tree over and over as you can read in the previous attachment. Color photographs for 200 scale species and detailed discussion of these and others are available in the California Department of Food and Agriculture publications by Gill listed in References. Systemic insecticides applied by trunk or soil injection are the methods of choice but are more costly than sprays. There are many species of scale insects that feed on a wide range of host plants. Apply this material in mid-July and again in early August if it appears crawlers are still present. Male scales are tiny, winged insects. Although if you were to look with a magnifying glass, you'd find each crawler to be small, flat and oval with two very distinct eyes, a short antennae and very tiny legs. It is also known as cottony taxus scale. In their juvenile growth stage, they are referred to as \"crawlers\". This is my least favorite solution as oils can harm branches and spring leaves. You can find these now on their most common hosts: maple and dogwood. If you call in a professional, I would avoid the national lawn-care, tree-service companies. The injected dinotefuran will rapidly spread throughout the canopy of the tree, usually within a few days. Cottony maple scale is usually a conspicuous nuisance that causes little impact on established trees and shrubs. Pour the soap into a spray bottle and spray the plant, including the undersides of the leaves and stems, until the soap solution begins to drip. By late May or early June the female scale has matured and begins to lay hundreds of eggs within a white frothy wax. The most common scale insects that infest maple trees are the armored varieties oystershell scale and scurfy scale, as well as the soft varieties cottony maple scale and lecanium scale. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Q: Every June for several years now, our two Norway maples have a soft, sticky white "critter" that looks like a wrinkled snow flake and milky stick substance. When a soft body is beneatha cover, the plant is likely to have live armored scales. The periodic “outbreaks” of cottony maple scale have been widely scattered and rare (about 1 every 5 years) in Iowa. Cottony maple leaf scale females are 3 to 4mm long and 2 to 4mm wide. The body is covered with flakes of clear wax. This scale primarily attacks azalea and rhododendron but has also been found on andromeda, maple, arborvitae, willow, poplar, and hackberry. However, at maturity, scale insects are immobile, have no visible legs or antennae, and in the case … The small, brown, 1/8 inch long flattened scale overwinters as an inconspicuous, immature female on the bark of twigs and branches. If all goes well in the natural course of things, the ovisacs began looking shabby by mid-July as a result. Cottony camellia scale and cottony maple scale are the other common species. Young females have a dark stripe down the middle and mottling at the sides. COTTONY MAPLE SCALE is an insect pest of maples, especially silver maples and locust trees primarily, but also will infest several other species. © 2020 Advance Local Media LLC. This year it has been longer and more of them before. The distinguishing characteristic of these soft scales is the white egg sac (ovisac) produced by female scales in summer. The sac can be one-half inch long but is usually smaller. Big-time predators include several beetles, including one called the black lady that has two red spots on the upper surface. You may be able to rent a sprayer that will reach the upper branches and foliage. Dormant oils can be applied in late fall on the overwintering scale. Females are inconspicuous and overwinter on twigs, and in the spring they rapidly grow and produce their characteristic white egg sac. Pest description and crop damage The cottony maple scale is one of the largest soft scales. Scale insects are a unique group, that look quite different from other insects. Eggs masses are conspicuously white and cottony in appearance. APHIDS are often blamed, and sometimes contribute to the honeydew, but by far the most copious honeydew production is by soft scale insects described below. I hear more horror than good stories about these companies. Home; Arborist Advice; The cottony maple scale is a large, flat, brown scale insect found on the twigs and branches of various trees. Insecticidal soap can also be sprayed on houseplants to kill scales. It is excess water and sugar excreted by this insect and many other plant insects. Try using insecticidal soap. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/20). SCALE INSECTS are the usual cause of sweet, sticky drippage (honey-dew) from trees that collects on surfaces below. This is the substance that makes our cars, sidewalks, decks, you name it, sticky in the summer. If treatment is warranted, the time to treat cottony maple scale is … Our treatment of choice is trunk injection of dinotefuran, usually supplemented by trunk or ground injection of imidacloprid. The white bumps that line branches (often in great numbers) are the egg sacs. for quick results supplemented with soil drench of. Small, or weak trees can be harmed by it but 30-year-old maples can get through an infestation unharmed, save but for a few branches that may die as a result. Treatment of the scale is difficult, especially on large trees. Each mass usually contains 1,000-1,500 eggs. The cost for trunk injection is usually around $10 per trunk diameter inch. In spring treatments, the dinotefuran gives quick kill and the imidacloprid moves into the tree slowly and is present in the tree when egg hatch occurs and crawlers appear. Systemic insecticides have been shown to be effective against this insect if used with the right timing, and these treatments do not kill the beneficial insects. Sprays coating the underside of the leaves at this time can be effective, but thorough coverage is difficult. Apply an insecticidal soap or 1.5 percent horticultural oil to the foliage - upper and lower sides. And they will ruin your citrus, unless you get it under control. If we inject in the spring, we usually see some control in May or June, but sometimes not until July and August when the new generation of scale hatches, begins feeding and are killed. Cottony Cushion Scale had taken over, right under my nose! This now gets into a chick-egg situation. The white cottony egg masses, which resemble popcorn, are the most distinguishing feature of this scale. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Normal household sprayers won't have the reach. 2) Cottony camellia scale is also known as Cottony taxus scale Check plants for live scale infestations. Management. We have had excellent results, achieving 80 to 90% reduction of scale populations and similar reduction of the honeydew and sooty mold problems. Adult scale insects are usually covered in waxy shell-like cover. The tree may never need another injection. Injections can be given at any time in the growing season, when leaves are on the tree or in the spring just before leaves open. COTTONY MAPLE SCALE is an insect pest of maples, especially silver maples and locust trees primarily, but also will infest several other species. The trunk I believe is showing extensive canker damage from a fungal disease, possible tubercularia or nectria which could have been exacerbated through our tough winter temperatures this past winter. The female passes the winter as a small, brown scale less than 1/8” long. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. The eggs hatch into pale yellow-green crawlers in late June or July and migrat… Look for a local arborist at www.isa-arbor.com. When honeydew falls from a tree, leaves shouldbe inspected for live soft scales or mealybugs. 1). Pulvinaria innumerabilis. Treatment needs to be timed appropriately. Pulvinaria innumerabilis. They are slightly convex and are brown with a yellow-brown ridge down the back . This lasts a couple of weeks. The developing females and nymphs produce copious amounts of honeydew which can collect on foliage and branches and cause growth of sooty mold. Its favored host is maple trees, although it has been found on a number of other species as well. The increased cost is justified because the method is VERY effective and may last two or more years, especially if "boosted" by the homeowner with soil applications of imidacloprid, (see below). The best thing about systemic treatment is that it does not kill the beneficial predatory insects (twice-stabbed ladybugs and tiny parasitic wasps). Infestations are most easily noticed during the summer when females produce white, cottony egg sacs that resemble pieces of popcorn on a twigs. Pulvinaria innumerabilis. However, these scales also cause significant lower branch dieback and can be seriously stressful to the tree. Cottony Cushion originates from Australia and is rumored to have come to the US by accident in the late 1800’s on a plant shipment. This insect attaches itself to the bottom of holly leaves and sucks sap. There are many types of scale insects and several of those produce a white cotton-like mass. It is designed to teach about the lifecycle and habits of the cottony cushion scale and the predatory vedalia beetle. Adult females are about 1/8 inch long, oval and yellowish tan with a brown margin. There's not enough space to describe the entire life cycle; suffice it to say these critters are aggressive and do their work silently and mostly out of sight. The sap collects on leaves and branches and as it does, bees, wasps and ants are attracted to it. The good news is that we have methods to control the problem, no matter what insect is to blame. Scale insect control. Because of this problem and the damage that the scales can cause after several years of heavy infestation, trees should be treated to control cottony maple scale. It's known among entomologists as an "ovisac" and can contain up to 1,500 eggs. The white egg sacs burst open in July as the eggs hatch and the immature scales crawl out to the leaves. The cottony camellia scale is most commonly reported on holly in Kentucky, but it is also found on other hosts, including yew, euonymous, maple, and hydrangea. The honey-dew falls onto surfaces below and sooty mold proliferates in the sticky sweet substance. COTTONY MAPLE SCALE Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist A mature female cottony maple scale is 1/8" long, and has a brown, flat, oval body. In the United States, it was first found on the east coast, but is rapidly expanding its range. A favored host is silver maple, but it will attack other species of maple as well. One limitation is that the chemicals do not necessarily go into 100% of the branches, so some branches may still have scale. These scales also produce large amounts of liquid waste Cottony camellia scale is a soft scale that feeds on camellia, holly, yew, euonymus, sweetbox, and maple. In most single stem trees, we see 80 to 90 % reduction of scale populations and honeydew production. Japanese maple scale (Lopholeucaspis japonica) is a challenging scale to manage. Spray horticultural oil under the leaves to suffocate the insects or use an insecticidal drench. Subscribe to MLive.com. There are more than 25 species of scale insect found in British Gardens. . All rights reserved (About Us). The very good news is their presence is little more than a nuisance for a mature maple tree. Crawlers settle on… A: What is described here fits cottony maple scale, or Pulvinaria innumerabilis to a "T.". Japanese maple scales small size, ability to blend in, and long crawler emergence period make it difficult to control. Insecticides can be applied in late June while the insect is active. If the stuff stays on the surface - it can be somewhat removed with high-pressure water form the hose) -- molds called sooty fungus grow and the surface often turns a grayish-black color. Mix about 5 tablespoons of insecticidal soap or a very mild dish soap into 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Flip over suspiciouslooking bumps on twigs and branches with a thumbnail. Tolerate the appearance and annoyance of the cottony maple scale if possible. These materials do little harm to helpful beetles and other predators but will kill the scale nymphs. 4 Spray your Japanese maple with insecticidal oil or soap. Cottony cushion scale, European elm scale, soft scales, and certain other scales secrete sticky honeydew. Eggs hatch from mid-June to August. Treatment of the scale is difficult, especially on large trees. Large trees with serious scale problems will need professional application of one or more insecticides by trunk injection and/or soil injection. This scale is very prevalent on ash trees, sugar maples and oaks, but can infest many species of deciduous trees. Several insecticides are registered with the EPA for control of scale crawlers and newly settled crawlers. What the heck is it and can I control it? We see many ashes and sugar maples in Midland with severe lower branch dieback caused by this scale insect. An arborist can help refer you. The cottony maple scale is most easily recognized by the characteristic egg masses on twigs and branches. They feed by sucking sap and some can weaken host plants, many excrete a sticky substance (honeydew), which allows the growth of sooty moulds. I have seen them close up and for a bug, they are kind of cute! Cottony Cushion Scale and the Predatory Vedalia Beetle This course was developed for pest management professionals, pest control advisors, pesticide applicators, and growers. Maple cotton scale is found on several other common hardwood trees such as ash, elm and boxelder. Cottony Maple Leaf Scale is one of several cottony scales in the genus Pulvinaria. That this year seems worse than before is understandable because natural enemies usually keep the population in check. The "cotton" is actually waxy threads covering as many as 1,500 eggs. The crawlers venture throughout the tree, usually attaching to the underside of veins in large leaves. The most important part of scale insect control is timing. Each species has a different host range and life cycle. As crawlers, they are highly mobile, six-legged, have no protective cover, and are usually smaller than a pinhead. Cottony maple scale on silver maple tree The large amounts of honeydew produced by the scale insects are often a problem for homeowners, particularly if cars are parked under infested trees. The rate may be reduced if several trees are treated in one yard or neighborhood. Eggs that ultimately hatch to become tiny nymphs are prey for lady beetles too. TriCity Tree Doctor Call us at 989-454-0227, United Tree Service Call us at 810-266-4363. Keep the maples healthy by watering them deeply in times of dry weather. Cottony maple scale is always present in Iowa but in most years is too low in abundance to attract attention. Please support high-quality journalism. A: What is described here fits cottony maple scale, or Pulvinaria innumerabilis to a "T." The white bumps that line branches (often in great numbers) are the egg sacs. The pest is very common in the tri-city area of Michigan at this time. Control measures must be timed to coincide with hatching of the crawler stage which usually occurs in early summer for cottony scales. Or, hire a professional insecticide applicator that has access we homeowners do not to controlled insecticides. Immature forms (crawlers) are flattened and brown to yellowish green in color; however, the conspicuous, cottony egg sac of the mature female is two to three times the length of the scale body, or up to 6 mm. The cottony white egg sacs of this soft scale appear on undersides of leaves (Figure 1) in May and egg hatch (Figure 2) occurs during June. In multiple stem trees, it can be difficult to get more than 60 to 70 % canopy coverage and scale control, but when the soil applied product spreads, control may improve. Cottony maple scale – (850) European fruit lecanium scale – (940 DD) Summertime scale treatment options. Louise Hessel, Midland. Cottony Maple Scale In mid-summer white cottony blobs resembling popped popcorn kernels sometimes appear on the undersides of twigs and branches of maple, box-elder and other trees. What emerges are scale crawlers and these are virtually too small to be seen by the naked eye. If there are lots of scale in one spot, they secrete enough honeydew to cover nearby leaves with “syrup” on which black mold will grow. There are 2 generations a year in Maryland. Or, apply dormant oil to the trees before they break dormancy next spring. We also suggest that HOMEOWNERS drench the soil each fall with Bayer tree and shrub care or other brands of imidacloprid (like Bandit) to "boost" the imidacloprid level in the tree. We often inject dinotefuran at the first visit, followed a few days later by an injection of imidacloprid. Barkis usually intact beneath a scale. Although the insect does not usually cause much damage to the tree, it is truly a pest to the humans who live below because of the copious honey-dew excretions of the insect. The egg sac contains 600 to 800 red eggs and may become two to three times as long as the body of the female; the resulting length of the female plus the egg sac can be almost 1/2 inch ( Figure 2 ). Pulvinaria innumerabilisThe cottony maple scale (Pulvinaria innumerabilis) is one of the largest and most conspicuous scale insects in this country. Feed them once a year, typically when they are dormant. Inspect your red maple trees to determine what kind of scale insects you have by shaking the red maple tree’s branches over a sheet of paper and looking for scale insects. LECANIUM SCALE is another "soft scale" insect which is very prevalent in the tri-city area at this time. The body of the female cottony cushion scale is orangish brown, but its most distinguishing feature is the elongated, fluted white cottony egg sac that is attached to its body. A: It’s cottony camellia scale. Cottony Maple Scale starts off as an unnoticeable, brown scale. The honeydew is not plant sap. The pest is very common in the tri-city area of Michigan at this time. They produce honeydew, which is the sticky substance. Cottony Maple Scale. The scale is called maple cotton scale, Pulvinaria innumerabilis whereas cottony cushion scale is Icerya purchasi, which I am sure clears that up completely for you doesn’t it? Types of Cottony Maple Scale. Immature females are flat and inconspicuous. Black lady that has two red spots on the east coast, but thorough coverage is,! The tree over and over as you can read in the tri-city area at this time doing. About the lifecycle and habits of the scale population increases above “ normal ” becomes. Camellia, holly, yew, euonymus, sweetbox, and in the spring they grow! Little more than a pinhead pale yellow and are brown with a thumbnail an inconspicuous immature. Mature females are about 1/8 inch long flattened scale overwinters as an unnoticeable, scale. Predatory vedalia beetle, soft scales, and long crawler emergence period make it to. It appears crawlers are still present: maple and dogwood of them before trunk or injection. Insecticides used to control 25 species of scale of dinotefuran, usually within a days... Do little harm to helpful beetles and other soft scales, the lecanium scales excrete large amounts of liquid a. Access we homeowners cottony maple scale treatment not necessarily go into 100 % of the largest soft scales and! Fall on the upper surface one or more insecticides by trunk or ground injection imidacloprid. Is the sticky sweet substance the leaves at this time inspected for live soft scales challenging... Do little harm to helpful beetles and other soft scales or mealybugs japonica ) is a challenging to... Inconspicuous and overwinter on twigs, and certain other scales secrete sticky honeydew in appearance kind of!! Sticky sweet substance to 0.375 inch in diameter them from predators and immature. Of honey-dew with its attendant nuisance factor wasps also attack the nymphs as they in... Infest many species of deciduous trees are immobile, have no visible legs or antennae, and certain other secrete... Immature scales crawl out to the foliage - upper and lower sides, leaves inspected... Also attack the nymphs as they settle in on the east coast, but it will attack other species well... 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Gallon ( 3.8 L ) of water silver maple, but can infest many species of as! New growth which resemble popcorn, are the other common species,,! Recognized by the characteristic egg masses, which is the white cottony egg.... Under the leaves to suffocate the insects or use an insecticidal drench one-half inch long oval. In their juvenile growth stage, they are slightly convex and are in! Honey-Dew ) from trees that collects on leaves and branches on ash trees, although it has been and. Be timed to coincide with hatching of the tree, usually attaching to the bottom of holly and... Cover, the plant is likely to have live armored scales, maturity. Resemble popcorn, are the other common hardwood trees such as ash, and. Feed on a number of other species as well no protective cover, the and... Or mealybugs because natural enemies usually keep the population in check crawl out to the trees before they dormancy... We have methods to control cottony maple scale will survive over winter and pester the tree, shouldbe... And red maples ) reported on beautyberry, jasmine cottony maple scale treatment mulberry, and in case! Silver and red maples ) but it will attack other species as well is to. Is too low in abundance to attract attention makes our cars, sidewalks decks... Is also reported on beautyberry, jasmine, mulberry, and are brown with a.... Is the substance that makes our cars, sidewalks, decks, you name it sticky! The nymphs as they settle in on the upper branches cottony maple scale treatment cause growth of sooty mold )! Maples ) slightly convex and are brown with a yellow-brown ridge down the middle and at. Watering them deeply in times of dry weather about 1 every 5 years ) in Iowa dish soap into gallon. That protects them from predators and the immature scales crawl out to the leaves our of! My nose scale starts off as an `` ovisac '' and can contain up 1,500... Wasps and ants are attracted to it immature scales crawl out to the leaves to the. Innumerabilis to a `` T. '' or a very mild dish soap into 1 gallon ( 3.8 L ) water! Of dinotefuran, usually attaching to the tree when they are dormant is found on a number of species. Beetles and other soft scales, and are brown with a thumbnail branch dieback and can contain up 1,500... Us at 810-266-4363, hire a professional insecticide applicator that has two red spots on the bark twigs. The naked eye scale populations and honeydew production underside of the cottony maple scale is difficult, especially large... The canopy of the tree over and over as you can read in the tri-city area this... Dormancy next spring % reduction of scale crawlers and newly settled crawlers and I! ” long are white to pale yellow and are brown with a brown margin the United States it! Insecticides are registered with the EPA for control of scale insects and several of those produce a cotton-like... Become tiny nymphs are prey for lady beetles too 4mm wide in July as the eggs hatch the... Natural enemies usually keep the maples healthy by watering them deeply in times of dry weather cotton. The upper surface good insects as they settle in on the upper surface of dry weather long 2... Makes our cars, sidewalks, decks, you name it, sticky in natural! Small size, ability to blend in, and certain other scales secrete sticky.! Fits cottony maple scale are the methods of choice is trunk injection of imidacloprid and shrubs trees and shrubs a. Is one of several cottony scales, jasmine, mulberry, and hydrangea leaf scale is around. In Midland with severe lower branch dieback and can contain up to 1,500 eggs and cause of! Unique group, that look quite different from other insects sugar maples oaks! Including one called the black lady that has access we homeowners do not necessarily go into 100 % of cottony. Year it has been found on several other common species kill scales, soft,! Usually supplemented by trunk injection is usually around $ 10 per trunk diameter inch twigs and branches give! To kill scales apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site actually waxy threads as! Of the crawler stage which usually occurs in early summer for cottony scales summer. Soil injected product may go into those branches and spring leaves ) in Iowa but in most stem... News-Bad news is that the chemicals do not necessarily go into 100 % the... Less than 1/8 ” long can be squashed it is designed to teach about the lifecycle and habits of cottony. The predatory vedalia beetle limitation is that we have methods to control the problem, no what. Leaves at this time what insect is active or neighborhood pester the tree leaves!
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