Horticulture/Icerya purchasi
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| Cottony Cushion Scale | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Type: | Insect |
| Binomial: | Icerya purchasi |
| Family: | Margarodidae |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Metamorphosis: | Simple |
Icerya purchasi, the cottony cushion scale) is a scale insect that feeds on several ornamental species, but is most notoriously known as a pest of Citrus crops.
[edit] Description
White scales, found on woody growth.
[edit] Symptoms and Signs
The presence of large numbers can weaken and even kill the host plant.
[edit] Ecology
Originally from Australia, now present in many other regions.
[edit] Host plants
- Acer
- Buxus
- Cedrus (Cedar)
- Citrus
- Hedera
- Helianthus
- Fagus
- Juglans
- Liquidumbar
- Magnolia
- Morus (Mulberry)
- Pinus
- Pittosporum
- Prunus
- Pseudosasa
- Robinia
- Salix
- Verbena
- Viburnum
- Weigela
[edit] Control
- Organic pesticides: Horticultural Oil, Neem Oil
- Predators and parasites: The ladybeetle Rodolia cardinalis has been successfully introduced as a biocontrol in most areas where the scale is present. Chryptochaetum iceryae, a parasitic fly, is also used.
