Scale insects:

• Many species of scale insects infest clove seedlings in the nursery and sometimes young plants in the field.
• The scale insects generally seen on clove include wax scale (Ceroplastes floridensis), shield scale (Pulvinaria psidii), nasked scale (Mycetaspis personata) and soft scale (Kilifia accuminata).
• The scales are generally seen clustered together on tender stems and lower surface of leaves

Black Scale: Saissetia nigra

Symptoms of damage:

• It infests tender leaves, shoots and twigs.
• Sooty mould fungus is observed on leaves due to honey dew secretion.

Identification of pest:

• Female adults are elliptical, flattened and shiny black.

Management:

• Removal of affected leaves and branches will prevent the spread.

Masked scale: Mycetaspis personata

Symptoms of damage:

• Dome shaped and greyish brown scale will be seen on the undersurface of leaves especially of young clove plants.
• The infested leaves become discoloured and completely yellowish and finally may fall down.

Identification of pest:

• Female adults are elliptical, flattened and black in colour.