California Red Scale Control
Control California Red Scales
Heavy infestations of red scale will stress trees and reduce yield. High scale levels can even kill branches and entire trees. Aphytis melinus is a tiny wasp that is very effective in combating California red scales. This parasitic wasp lays its eggs under the scale shell. When the eggs hatch, they devour the adult scale insect and emerge as adults to find another scale to parasitize.
Aphytis melinus is a tiny wasp that is used to combat California red scales. This parasite lays its eggs under the scale shell. When the eggs hatch they devour the adult scale insect and emerge as adults to find another scale to parasitize. Heavy infestations of scale will stress the trees and reduce yield. High scale levels can even kill branches and entire trees. Many pesticides used to control scale will also kill the wasps for many weeks after use.
For more information on California Red Scales from University of California Integrated Pest Management,
click here.
Photo courtesy of University of California.