Horticulture/Hemiberlesia rapax
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| Greedy Scale | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Insect |
| Binomial: | Hemiberlesia rapax |
| Family: | Diaspididae |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Metamorphosis: | Simple |
Greedy Scale is a scale insect with a wide range of hosts. It's origin is uncertain, but it has become an invasive species in many parts of the world.
[edit] Description
Small, grayish-white armored scales, generally found in large colonies.
[edit] Symptoms and Signs
Severe infestations cause wilting, distortion, and the death of the host plant.
[edit] Ecology
Females do not produce wings, crawlers are spread mechanically or by wind.
[edit] Host plants
Greedy scale feeds on hundreds of species, including (but not limited to) species in the following genera:
- Abelia
- Acacia
- Bamboos
- Buxus (Boxwood)
- Camellia
- Ceanothus
- Cedrus (Cedar)
- Celtis (Hackberry)
- Cercis (Redbud)
- Cotoneaster
- Diospyros
- Eleagnus
- Erica (Heath)
- Euonymus
- Ficus (Fig)
- Fuchia
- Geranium
- Hedera (Ivy)
- Ilex (Holly)
- Ipomoea
- Juglans (Walnut)
- Juniperus (Juniper)
- Laurus (Laurel)
- Ligustrum (Privet)
- Lonicera (Honeysuckle)
- Magnolia
- Mahonia (Grape-holly)
- Malus (Apple)
- Morus (Mulberry)
- Myrtus
- Olea (Olive)
- Persea (Avocado)
- Plumeria
- Prunus (Stone Fruits)
- Pyracantha (Firethorn)
- Pyrus (Pear)
- Quercus (Oak)
- Rhododendron (Rhododendron, Azalea)
- Robinia (Locust)
- Rosa (Rose)
- Salix (Willow)
- Salvia (Sage)
- Sedum (Rockcress)
- Ulmus (Elm)
- Vaccinium (Blueberry)
- Vitis (Grape)
[edit] Control
- Physical removal: Scrubbing
- Biocontrols (microscopic): Ladybugs, Parasitic Wasps
