Insect Identification

Scales

Measuring 1 to 5 millimeters long, scales vary dramatically in appearance, ranging from wax-covered organisms to shiny, pearl-like objects. Adult female scales are sexually mature nymphs without wings. Appearing sack-like, they have no defined head, thorax or abdomen, and they don't have legs. Male scales, which don't feed, die after a couple of days. They possess two pairs of wings. However, the hind pair - barely visible - is tucked behind the front pair. After their second instar, scales become sedentary and stay in one area.

More than 7,000 scale species exist. Most species produce honeydew, a waxy secretion that varies from a thin layer to a wet mass to a powdery secretion. An excess amount of honeydew results in the growth of a dark-sooty mold, which covers leaf surfaces and reduces photosynthesis. Found on a variety of plant parts - leaves, branches, trunks, roots and fruits - scales remove plant sap, stunting growth and causing several types of deformities, such as chloric spots and pits.

Scales infest the entire gamut of greenhouse crops - bedding and garden plants, potted flowers, cut flowers, cut greens and foliage.

Enstar® II can be used alone to control scales. To prevent populations from reaching damaging levels, one 5-ounce bottle of Enstar® II per 100 gallons of water should be applied every two weeks. To control existing populations, two 5-ounce bottles of Enstar® II per 100 gallons of water should be applied every seven days.

For broad spectrum control of scales with Mavrik Aquaflow®, use eight ounces per 100 gallons of water to treat 20,000 square feet every seven days until the insects are controlled. The Mavrik Aquaflow® needs to be applied at the crawlers stage before the scales become sedentary.