Scale Insects
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Scale Insects
 Scale insects are sap feeding pest that move only when newly hatched, These insects crawl looking for a suitable feeding site. Young scale insects settle to feed near the leaf veins or stem of the affected plant, developing a waxy shell (scale) Adults resemble a tiny limpet shell. The young are often mistaken for small brown flecks. Two species are most likely to be found on plants in the conservatory, greenhouse or in the house. Hemispherical scale (Saissetia coffeae) is dark brown in color, domed shaped, and 1/8 in(3mm) long. Soft Scale ( Coccus hesperidum) is light green-brown in color with a darker center spot, oval and flat in shape, and about ¼ ( 5mm) long. Scale insects will breed year-round if temperatures are suitable. Susceptible Plants- A wide range of plants, particularly under glass or indoors, to a lesser extent outdoor plants can be affected as well. Symptoms- Plants are weakened by the feeding scales, and leaves may fall. Scales insect excrete a sticky substance, known as honeydew which drops from the feeding area onto the leaves below. Black sooty mold may grow on it. Appearance is marred, and growth inhibited. Scale insects cause damage by removing vital plant fluids from their hosts using their sucking mouth parts. Leaf and needle stunting and yellowing, twig and branch dieback as well as plant death are possible depending on population levels. In some instances, scales weaken plants making them susceptible to damage from secondary pests such as borers or environmental extremes, which may ultimately kill the plant. Prevention and Control – Check plants regularly, especially the undersides of the leaves for the presence of the scale insects. Where infestation is light, scales can easily be removed with a cotton swab. Check new plants carefully for the presence of scale before introducing to the house or greenhouse. Natural controls (parasitoids, predators, pathogens, environmental conditions) usually maintain scale populations below damaging levels on outdoor plants. Also, maintaining healthy, vigorous plants through proper watering, fertilization and pruning (including removing scale-infested branches), will often increase a plant's ability to withstand pest pressure. However, under certain circumstances, scale populations can increase and become injurious. Biological Control- In warm, sunny conservatories or greenhouses use "Red Scale Parasite Aphytis melinus" Pesticide Spray- Zero Tolerance Herbal Pesticide-Fungicide
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