They have at least 2 overlapping generations. The azalea bark scale is a soft scale resembling mealybugs. In summer when crawlers are active, you can use a summer rate (0.5 – 1.0%) of horticultural oil. Putnam scales are small (1-2 mm at maturity) (Figure 6) and have a flattened, plate-like cover that can be removed to reveal the insect underneath. This scale lives and thrives on crape myrtle, suggesting a different identity for it. They produce large amounts of honey dew, resulting in black, sooty mold fungus. By 2014, DNA and morphological tests helped scientists identify this species as Acanthococcus (=Eriococcus) lagerstroemiae, a felt scale from Asia that was known to feed on crapemyrtle species. Glass : Azalea : Azalea lace bug (revision date: 2/14/2019) Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management. For example, it does not feed on crapemyrtle and is primarily a pest on azaleas (Rhododendron species). Video shows close ups of Azalea Bark scale and provides some plant inspection tips. Azalea Bark Scale is common in eastern parts of the United States. Can I use Pivot 10 for azalea bark scale? Eggs are laid in the spring and hatch from late-June to mid-July. See "Scale insect" in: Common Landscape Pests Azalea bark scale Photo: United States National Collection of Scale Insects Photographs, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Eriococcus azalea (soft scale) produces a white eggsac full of eggs. The azalea bark scale has been reported from andromeda, four azalea species, blueberry,"flowering cherry," hawthorn, huckleberry, poplar, rhododendron, and willow. Azalea bark scale insects (Eriococcus azaleae Comstock), discovered in the United States in 1881, have earned a reputation as significant azalea pests. Biology. lea bark scale (Eriococcus azalea); however, crape myrtle has never before been report-ed as a host plant for azalea bark scale. The Interactive Plant Manager is here to help you diagnose, monitor, treat, and prevent pest problems. Symptoms of their sucking include honeydew, sooty mold, and considerable leaf yellowing and die back. If necessary, apply a dormant spray for overwintering nymphs on twigs. Azalea bark scale : Azalea lace bug : Azalea leafminer : Obliquebanded leafroller : Root weevils : Spider mites : print version| pdf version| email url : Caption: ALB damage and tar spots on azalea. Invasive Listing Sources. Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems; Taxonomic Rank. This insect produces a white or cottony sac that is often found attached in the axils of twigs and leaves during May to June and September through October. In spring they produce eggs beneath their body then die. Treating Azalea Bark Scale . Infested azaleas usually appear chlorotic, and severe infestation of azalea bark scale can weaken or kill your azaleas. Eriococcus azaleae. Symptoms/Damage. Other pests that affect the azalea include bark scale or leafminers. See: Azalea (Rhododendron)-Azalea bark scale. Tiny crawlers hatch from the eggs, settle in their new spot, and begin producing white filaments. Scales are so unusual looking that most people don’t recognize them as insects. Azalea bark scale is most easily recognized by the white cottony sacs (Figure 4) that protect the developing pink eggs underneath (Figure 5). Crapemyrtle bark scale, Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae (Kuwana), infesting young crapemyrtle branches. Azalea bark scales overwinter on older twigs and branches, under a white, felt-like egg sac about 6-12 mm in diameter. Lecanium scale found on woody plants such as azaleas and rhododendrons. azalea bark scale on 'Nannie Angell' Casio QV-2900UX,scale 0205090004.s.JPG 1/1493s f/3.2 at 7.0mm hide exif. Examples include brown soft scale, lecanium scale, azalea bark scale, magnolia scale and tuliptree scale. Azalea Bark Scale, Erlococcus azalene. Recognition and Life Cycle. If Azalea Bark Scale, the vulnerable stage (called "crawlers") tend to appear around late May to early June (on average, in our area) and again in mid-July. This sap-sucking scale can cause serious harm to your favorite Azalea or Rhododendron. Control As there are so many different types of scales and the amount of damage depends on the level of infestation as well as the plant species and natural predators present in the environment, management should be customized to the situation. This pest overwinters as a nymph (immature). Crapemyrtle bark scale was first observed feeding on crapemyrtle in Richardson, Texas, a Dallas suburb in 2004. Blackened branches made so by honeydew and mold, eventually sicken and die, as does the female when her egg sac is full. Azalea bark scale overwinters as nymphs or adults in the northeast, laying up to 250 eggs in spring. Hosts include andromeda, azalea, rhododendron, hawthorn, poplar, willow, and most recently blueberries. These mobile immatures are known as "crawlers". Azalea bark scale (Acanthococcus azaleae) infestations can be severe. Hosts: azalea, rhododendron, Andromeda, hawthorn, poplar, and willow Starting the last week of June to early July Table 1. Female scales produce fluffy white filaments that cover their body. The adult females (1/8 inch) with their white egg sacs are most noticeable in May and June. Azalea bark scale is a third insect pest of azalea. When first discovered in the United States, this insect was identified as the azalea bark scale (Eriococcus azalea); however, crape myrtle has never before been reported as a host plant for azalea bark scale. It is hidden from view by the matted waxy threads of the egg sac that covers it. The crawlers like to attach to the bark and feed in crevices and branch forks. This can cause a sooty mold, or white cottony masses to cover the plants. Regularly check your plants for signs of infestation. When bark scale presents itself, the plant appears to be covered in a soot-like mold. Azalea bark scale overwinters as immatures in the forks of the twigs. Would Captain Jacks Deadbug Brew Concentrate be effective for treating Azalea Bark Scale? The adult female azalea bark scale is dark red with a long sucking mouthpart. Residential Recommendations Skip to Residential Recommendations. azalea bark scale Stelloh garden, Hendersonville NC . Females are approximately 1/8-inch long and covered with a white, waxy egg sac. Introduced into the San Francisco area in the early 1900’s, it has continued to spread throughout the Pacific Coast states and several eastern states, including Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Long Island. To reduce chances of bark-splitting, plant only azalea varieties known to be hardy in your area. The egg sac is about 1/8 inch in length. Adult females are immobile and can usually be found feeding in the forks of branches and on twigs. For example, it does not feed on crapemyrtle and is primarily a pest on azaleas (Rhododendron species). Photo by: J. As this azalea pest feeds, she secretes a honeydew along the azalea. Azalea bark scale (Eriococcus azaleae) Lecanium scale (Lecanium spp.) Scale Download a PDF of this article Plants Affected. The most likely culprit is a scale insect found in China, Japan, and Korea. Crawler activity for azalea bark scale was similar to wax scale noted above at the same location in 2014. What is the ratio of Hi-Yield 55% Malathion Insecticide Spray to kill mulberry caterpillars? This scale lives and thrives on crape myrtle, suggesting a different identity for it. However, this scale has a different host range that is not known to overlap with that of crapemyrtle bark scale. The azalea bark scale is in the same genus (Acanthococcus) as crapemyrtle bark scale and appears virtually identical. Azalea caterpillars can quickly defoliate a plant. the azalea bark scale, had begun attacking a new host plant or if this was a newly introduced species. Azalea bark scale shown on an azalea also may be found on rhododendrons. To get started, just select from ONE OR MORE of the following fields and press ?Search? Red females cover themselves and their eggs with a white, waxy, protective coating. BIOLOGY Distribution - The azalea bark scale occurs in the eastern United States; it has also been reported in Belgium, Germany, and Russia.. Cottony maple/taxus scale? Affected plants can also be treated with horticultural oil. Will Zylam Liquid Systemic Insecticide work on the Crape Myrtle Bark Scale? Q&A related to Azalea Bark Scale. Chemical control of the azalea bark scales and their eggs in the ovisacs is difficult with insecticide sprays. Photograph by Jim Robbins, University of Arkansas, CES, Bugwood.org. Cut away and destroy affected parts. If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at [email protected] or 1-888-656-9988. This is a pest that generally does not kill hosts, rather it causes aesthetic damage. Para obtener la versión en español de esta hoja informativa, HGIC 1059S, El Cuidado de las Azaleas. azalea bark scale Eriococcus azaleae (Comstock) About This Subject; View Images Details; View Images; Selected Images. For biology, life history, monitoring and management. The azalea bark scale is tiny, but her effect, as seen on your azaleas turning black, is terrible. Host Plants - The azalea bark scale has been found on four azalea species, rhododendron, "flowering cherry," and huckleberry . Non-Chemical Management. A: That crusty growth might look like a fungus or mold, but it’s actually a bug called azalea bark scale. Getting Rid of Leafminers. Cottony masses of the scales are often located on twigs and in the forks of the branches. Sticky honeydew is excreted by the pests, and may have black sooty mold growing on it. ).It has been reported in the Eastern US, as well as Belgium and Russia. ⅛” oval to oblong white scale covering the bark on crape myrtle trunks and branches (similar to azalea bark scale). Control: If the population is low and damage is minimal, look for beneficial insects which do a good job controlling this insect. Females cover themselves with wax and eggs, crawlers and females beneath the wax are reddish. Discovered in 1881, the azalea bark scale, Eriococcus azaleas, is a prominent pest of rhododendron, azalea, and huckleberry (Vaccinium spp. All types of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs. When numbers are high, they appear crust-like. Includes. Calico scale, Eulecanium cerasorum is a pest of variety woody plants. However, this scale has a different host range that is not known to overlap with that of crapemyrtle bark scale. Leafminers may be seen on the upper or lower leaves and cause yellowing or browning on the leaves. As they mature, the adult females lay eggs, which when smashed, produce a pink-purple residue. Damage - Since its discovery in 1881, the azalea bark scale has become recognized as a prominent pest of azaleas. Pest description and crop damage Lecanium scales overwinter on twigs and branches under a hard, helmet-like, reddish-brown covering, which is about 6-8 mm in diameter. The most likely culprit is a scale insect found in China, Japan, and Korea. They appear to be most active during the summer. Crape myrtle bark scale is a felt scale related to azalea bark scale and oak eriococcin scale. Management Options. The azalea bark scale is in the same genus (Acanthococcus) as crapemyrtle bark scale and appears virtually identical. These hatch around late June through July and the crawlers settle in bark crevices, on leaves, or twig forks and pass through several stages. 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